Israeli forces have completed their withdrawal from Gaza’s Al-Shifa Hospital after a two-week operation that has raised serious concerns about the heavy toll on civilian life and infrastructure. The departure follows what Israel described as a successful mission against Hamas militants but has left the largest medical complex in Gaza largely in ruins.
Witnesses and medical personnel at the scene describe a harrowing picture: buildings burned, the complex’s infrastructure heavily damaged, and the discovery of hundreds of bodies within the complex and the surrounding areas. According to reports, “the complex is in ruins and cannot be revived,” with the Israeli military stating it had “completed precise operational activity in the area of the Shifa Hospital and exited the area.”
The operation, which began on March 18, was Israel’s latest attempt to target what it asserts are Hamas militants using the hospital as a base. Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant lauded the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) for their “determined and professional action,” claiming, “The terrorist base in Shifa has been eliminated.”
However, the scene at the hospital contradicts the military’s assertion that the raid was conducted “while preventing harm to civilians, patients, and medical teams.” Medical sources have reported the discovery of hundreds of bodies, suggesting a severe impact on noncombatants. This is further supported by the account of Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the head of the World Health Organization, who stated that 21 patients had died since Israel began its siege.
Furthermore, there are reports of extensive damage to the surrounding infrastructure, making it “almost impossible” for ambulances to reach the hospital due to damaged roads in the city. The IDF’s spokesperson claimed that the operation resulted in the killing of many Hamas fighters, including senior operatives, and the arrest of around 900 people suspected of being “militants.” However, these figures and the nature of the operation have not been independently verified due to the lack of reporting access in Gaza.
The impact of the operation on Al-Shifa Hospital not only disrupts health services but also adds to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The recent conflict has already taken a devastating toll on the Palestinian territory, with a reported death toll surpassing 32,800 and the majority of the population displaced. The siege of the hospital comes amid warnings of a looming famine in northern Gaza, where the majority of the population is already facing catastrophic levels of hunger.
Relevant articles:
– ‘No life here’: Israel’s army withdraws from Gaza’s al-Shifa Hospital
– Israel-Hamas war live updates: IDF withdraws from Gaza’s Al-Shifa Hospital, NBC News, Mon, 01 Apr 2024 16:55:20 GMT
– Israeli troops end Al-Shifa hospital raid, leaving behind bodies and trail of destruction, CNN, Mon, 01 Apr 2024 13:36:00 GMT
– Israel’s military withdraws from Gaza’s al, Vatican News, Mon, 01 Apr 2024 13:56:14 GMT