Israeli Forces and Palestinian Fighters Clash at Gaza's Al Shifa Hospital

On Thursday, Israeli forces and Palestinian fighters engaged in close combat around Gaza's Al Shifa Hospital, with the armed wings of Hamas and Islamic Jihad launching attacks on Israeli soldiers and tanks using rockets and mortar fire. The Israeli army confirmed its continued operation around the hospital complex in Gaza City after storming it more than a week ago. It reported that approximately 200 gunmen had been killed since the start of the operation, emphasizing the prevention of harm to civilians, patients, medical teams, and medical equipment.

Healthcare Crisis at Al Shifa Hospital

According to Gaza's health ministry, wounded individuals and patients were being held inside an administration building in Al Shifa that was not equipped to provide them with healthcare. The ministry also reported five patient deaths due to shortages of food, water, and medical care since the Israeli raid began. Before the conflict, Al Shifa had been one of the few partially operational healthcare facilities in north Gaza and had been accommodating displaced civilians.

Attacks and Counterclaims

Unverified footage on social media depicted the hospital's surgery unit blackened by flames, along with nearby apartments on fire or destroyed. The armed wings of Hamas and Islamic Jihad stated that they had jointly bombed gatherings of Israeli soldiers in the vicinity of the Al-Shifa Complex with mortar shells. Islamic Jihad also claimed to have targeted an Israeli tank with an anti-tank rocket outside the hospital. In response, the Israeli military stated that militants had fired at its troops from inside and outside the ER building. Israel contends that Hamas militants use civilian buildings, including apartment blocks and hospitals, for cover, a claim that Hamas denies.

Humanitarian Crisis

The conflict has taken a devastating toll on the Gaza Strip, with the territory's health ministry reporting at least 32,552 Palestinians killed and 74,980 wounded since the military offensive began on Oct. 7. Thousands more are believed to be buried under rubble, and over 80% of Gaza's 2.3 million population is displaced, leaving many at risk of famine. The war erupted after Hamas militants breached the border, resulting in casualties and abductions.

Additional Hospital Blockades and Arrests

Apart from Al Shifa Hospital, Al-Amal and Nasser hospitals in Khan Younis have also been besieged by Israeli forces. The Palestinian Red Crescent reported that seven of its workers, including the director of ambulance and emergency services in the Gaza Strip, were released after being detained for 47 days in Israeli prisons. Despite these releases, eight other association members remained in detention. The World Health Organization emphasized the cessation of Al-Amal Hospital's operations due to fighting, with only 10 out of 36 hospitals in the Gaza Strip partially operational.

International Call for Ceasefire

The World Health Organization appealed for an immediate end to attacks on hospitals in Gaza, calling for the protection of health staff, patients, and civilians. Meanwhile, health officials in Rafah reported casualties resulting from an Israeli airstrike on a house, while Israel announced plans for a ground offensive into Rafah, which the United States opposes due to potential harm to civilians seeking refuge in the area.

The ongoing conflict continues to escalate, with severe humanitarian consequences for the people of Gaza and significant challenges for healthcare providers in the region. The international community faces mounting pressure to intervene and seek a resolution to the crisis.