Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza: Thousands Shelter Amidst Intense Military Conflict and Allegations of Violations
Introduction:
The Israeli military launched a significant operation against Gaza’s largest hospital facility, Al-Shifa, on Monday, with thousands of people seeking refuge inside. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claimed that “senior Hamas terrorists” were utilizing the hospital to conduct terrorist activities. However, these allegations could not be independently verified by News Finder.
The IDF urged residents and displaced persons near Al-Shifa Hospital in northern Gaza to withdraw to a “humanitarian zone” further south, but warnings came after the hospital had already come under siege. According to one witness, military vehicles were firing at the facility’s buildings and anyone moving between hallways risked being hit.
International Law and Hospital Targeting:
Targeting hospitals in wartime is prohibited under international law, but this rule applies only if enemy combatants are not using the facility to attack. The IDF stated that it would “act in accordance with international law” and instructed troops on caution and measures to avoid harming patients, civilians, medical staff, and equipment.
Chaotic Scenes and Eyewitness Accounts:
Al-Shifa Hospital has become the epicenter of intense military conflict between Israel and Hamas. Witnesses reported chaotic scenes both inside and outside the hospital complex, with injured people among the debris, bodies being pulled from the rubble, massive plumes of smoke from airstrikes nearby, and families in terror after missile strikes. The World Health Organization (WHO) expressed deep concern about the situation at Al-Shifa.
History of Al-Shifa Hospital and Previous Conflicts:
Al-Shifa Hospital had briefly become the focal point of conflict earlier in the war, with Israel accusing Hamas of operating a command center in tunnels beneath the hospital complex. The group denied these allegations. In November 2021, Israel carried out an operation within the hospital, resulting in significant damage and a halted functioning of the main building. Dozens of patients died due to a lack of electricity during that conflict. While international communities, including the United States, supported Israel’s claim, the evidence did not definitively prove the existence of a Hamas command center beneath the hospital.
Humanitarian Crisis and Famine in Gaza:
Palestinians argue that Israel’s actions at Al-Shifa demonstrate a disregard for civilian life, while Israel contends that Hamas uses civilians as human shields. The United Nations (UN) reported an imminent famine in northern Gaza, with the highest number of people facing catastrophic hunger ever recorded. The situation is particularly dire for those who remained in Gaza after Israel urged northern residents to flee south during the first round of fighting. Approximately 1.4 million people are now crammed into a tent city in Rafah, and fears of an impending Israeli offensive are mounting.
Israeli Ground Incursion Plans:
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved plans for a ground incursion into Rafah, despite widespread international opposition. UN aid chief Martin Griffiths warned that such an offensive could lead to “a slaughter.” Israel intends to move displaced Palestinians from Rafah to “humanitarian enclaves” before any assault, according to IDF spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari.
