At least 13 individuals have been killed, and 26 others have been injured after Israeli airstrikes focused the principle gate of Al-Shifa Hospital, the most important hospital within the blockaded Gaza Strip on Friday.
Israeli strike hit a convoy of ambulances, which the well being ministry mentioned killed a number of individuals close to the territory’s largest hospital.
The ambulances have been carrying sufferers to the Rafah Crossing, reviews mentioned.
The Israeli military confirmed that it had focused an ambulance in Gaza City, claiming {that a} Hamas cell was allegedly utilizing the ambulance.
“In response, an Israeli Defense Forces aircraft struck and neutralized the Hamas terrorists, who were operating within the ambulance,” it added.
“We emphasize that this area in Gaza is a war zone,” the Israeli military mentioned, noting that “civilians are repeatedly called upon to evacuate southward for their own safety.” The nation is infamous for focusing on not solely hospitals, faculties and locations of worship, however it additionally targets civilians making an attempt to flee to the south, leaving Palestinians with nowhere protected to hunt refuge.
An AFP journalist on the scene noticed a number of our bodies beside a broken ambulance.
A authorities assertion mentioned Israeli forces focused “a convoy of ambulances which was transporting the wounded” from Gaza City in direction of Rafah within the south.
The well being ministry introduced that “several citizens were killed and dozens wounded in an Israeli strike at the entrance to Al-Shifa hospital” in Gaza City.
The Israeli navy didn’t instantly touch upon the incident when contacted by AFP.
Al-Shifa Hospital is dealing with extreme overcrowding, with a mattress occupancy fee of 164% in response to the World Health Organization.
Some 16 hospitals throughout Gaza are not functioning because of harm from strikes and an absence of gas, the well being ministry mentioned.
On Monday, Israeli jets focused the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital, the besieged enclave’s solely hospital for most cancers sufferers.
Israel additionally focused different hospitals and refused to assert duty for the inhumane assaults.
The WHO warned Wednesday that the gas scarcity “immediately risks the lives” of the wounded and different sufferers.
More than 23,500 individuals have been wounded throughout Gaza in 4 weeks of warfare, the well being ministry mentioned, whereas the loss of life toll has surpassed 9,200.
Over 9,000 Palestinians, largely girls and youngsters, have been killed in incessant Israeli assaults.
Red Cross deplores assaults on ambulances in Gaza
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies on Friday deplored the assaults on ambulances within the Gaza Strip.
The horrific and stunning photographs of the assaults on sufferers and ambulances near Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza reminded “me (of) the Markale market shelling in Sarajevo,” President Francesco Rocca wrote on X.
“These scenes are unacceptable! Civilians, ambulances, doctors, hospitals must be protected. Always,” he denounced.
The Israeli military has widened its air and floor assaults on the Gaza Strip, which has been underneath relentless airstrikes for the reason that shock offensive by Hamas on Oct. 7.
Besides the big variety of casualties and displacement, primary provides are operating low for Gaza’s 2.3 million residents as a result of Israeli siege.
Source: www.dailysabah.com