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There have been allegations that [[Hamas]] has been using the Al-Shifa Hospital for military purposes. [[Izzat al-Risheq]], a Hamas official, denied allegations that the group was using Shifa Hospital as a shield for its underground military structures, saying there was no truth to the claims.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/30/human-shield-israel-claim-hamas-command-centre-under-hospital-palestinian-civilian-gaza-city|title=What is a human shield and how has Hamas been accused of using them?|first=Peter|last=Beaumont|date=30 October 2023|newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/27/hamas-rejects-israeli-claim-over-installations-under-al-shifa-hospital|title=Hamas rejects Israeli claim over installations under al-Shifa hospital|website=Al Jazeera}}</ref> On 14 November, [[Associated Press]] stated Israel had provided no visual evidence for its claims.<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 November 2023 |title=Is Hamas hiding in Gaza's main hospital? Israel's claim is now a focal point in a dayslong stalemate |url=https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-shifa-hospital-ce8fda9821a011a6cb6e4a3df5c90916 |access-date=15 November 2023 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref>
There have been allegations that [[Hamas]] has been using the Al-Shifa Hospital for military purposes. [[Izzat al-Risheq]], a Hamas official, denied allegations that the group was using Shifa Hospital as a shield for its underground military structures, saying there was no truth to the claims.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/30/human-shield-israel-claim-hamas-command-centre-under-hospital-palestinian-civilian-gaza-city|title=What is a human shield and how has Hamas been accused of using them?|first=Peter|last=Beaumont|date=30 October 2023|newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/27/hamas-rejects-israeli-claim-over-installations-under-al-shifa-hospital|title=Hamas rejects Israeli claim over installations under al-Shifa hospital|website=Al Jazeera}}</ref> On 14 November, [[Associated Press]] stated Israel had provided no visual evidence for its claims.<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 November 2023 |title=Is Hamas hiding in Gaza's main hospital? Israel's claim is now a focal point in a dayslong stalemate |url=https://apnews.com/article/israel-palestinians-hamas-war-shifa-hospital-ce8fda9821a011a6cb6e4a3df5c90916 |access-date=15 November 2023 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref>


On 14 November 2023, the U.S. National Security Council spokesperson, [[John Kirby (admiral)|John Kirby]], said that the United States had its own intelligence sources indicating that Al Shifa hospital was being used by Hamas to run military operations and store weapons, which constitutes a [[war crime]].<ref name=ReutersUSIntel/>
On 14 November 2023, the U.S. National Security Council spokesperson, [[John Kirby (admiral)|John Kirby]], said that the United States had its own intelligence sources indicating that Al Shifa hospital was being used by Hamas to run military operations and store weapons, which constitutes a [[war crime]], however these “intelligence sources” are likely to be completely manufactured.<ref name=ReutersUSIntel/>


Al-Shifa staff had appealed to the [[international community]] to send [[Delegation|international delegations]] to the hospital to see that no military actions were taking place in the hospital.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |last1=Abu Azzoum |first1=Tareq |title=Israeli military preparing to storm al-Shifa Hospital |url=https://aje.io/rpfpqc?update=2487129 |website=Al Jazeera |access-date=15 November 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2023/11/15/middleeast/shifa-hospital-gaza-idf-intl/index.html|title=Israel launches ‘targeted’ military operation inside Gaza’s Al-Shifa Hospital|publisher=CNN}}</ref>
Al-Shifa staff had appealed to the [[international community]] to send [[Delegation|international delegations]] to the hospital to see that no military actions were taking place in the hospital.<ref name=":0">{{cite web |last1=Abu Azzoum |first1=Tareq |title=Israeli military preparing to storm al-Shifa Hospital |url=https://aje.io/rpfpqc?update=2487129 |website=Al Jazeera |access-date=15 November 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2023/11/15/middleeast/shifa-hospital-gaza-idf-intl/index.html|title=Israel launches ‘targeted’ military operation inside Gaza’s Al-Shifa Hospital|publisher=CNN}}</ref>

Revision as of 11:02, 15 November 2023

Al-Shifa Hospital siege
Part of the siege of Gaza City
Datec. 12 November 2023
Location
Al-Shifa Hospital, Gaza
31°31′27.5″N 34°26′34″E / 31.524306°N 34.44278°E / 31.524306; 34.44278
Result Ongoing[1]

Al-Shifa Hospital, the largest medical complex in Gaza, is under siege in the ongoing Israel–Hamas war. The hospital has been completely cut off[clarification needed] from the rest of Gaza City, trapping 15,000 people who are either patients in need of treatment or have taken refuge in the hospital grounds.[2][3] Israel and the United States have stated their intelligence indicates the hospital is used for military purposes by Hamas, a claim that Hamas denies.[4][5] The hospital staff have also denied their hospital is being used by Hamas and invited international delegations to come and verify for themselves.[6]

Background

On 7 October 2023, Hamas invaded Israel as part of a multi-pronged surprise attack.[7] Israel conducted a counterattack, airstrikes, and a total blockade on Gaza as retaliation.[8][9] Israel invaded the Gaza Strip on 27 October[10], and Gaza City was surrounded on 2 November.[11]

Al-Shifa is the largest hospital in the Gaza Strip. Israel has claimed that it is a Hamas control and command center.[12]

The IDF has ordered Northern Gaza and specifically Al-Shifa hospital to be evacuated.[as of?][13]

Thousands of displaced civilians were sheltering in the hospital at the time of the attacks.[which?][14]

Siege and attacks

On 3 November, an Israeli airstrike targeted an ambulance convoy leaving the hospital. The attack killed 15 and wounded 60. Israel claimed that Hamas was using the ambulances.[12] The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) claimed that Israel had targeted Al-Shifa ambulances 7 times prior and had killed 4 of their personnel.[15]

On 6 November, Israeli forces struck and destroyed the solar panels atop the hospital, leaving it fully reliant on back-up generators powered by rapidly dwindling fuel supplies.[16]

On 10 November, at least four strikes hit various areas of the hospital with various projectiles[17].[8] Israel claimed that at least one projectile was a misfired militant rocket, but did not elaborate further.[18] The Gaza Health Ministry (GHM) claimed that there were at least 5 strikes damaging parts of the hospital complex,- two, at 2 and 8 am., hitting the maternity ward located on the upper floors,-[17] stating that 14 people had been killed.[19] Later a Palestinian doctor stated that 7 people had died following the strikes.[17] On the same day, it was reported that Israeli forces were at the gates of the hospital.[14]According to a follow-up investigation commissioned by the New York Times from experts who examined videos and remnants of the munitions, three of the projectiles fired at the hospital were Israeli.[17]

On 11 November, the GHM claimed that an evacuation was underway. It claimed that 50,000–60,000 people were sheltering in the hospital before, and that fewer than 3,000 people remained.[20] Later that day, the PRCS claimed that Israeli tanks were 20 meters away from the hospital. Doctors Without Borders (DWB) and the World Health Organization (WHO) claimed that Israeli troops were shooting at those trying to exit the hospital,[21][22] which Israel denied. Israel claimed that they were letting people leave the hospital, which DWB denied.[23] By this time, Al-Shifa ran out of fuel and had suspended some operations. As a result, 2 babies in incubators and two other patients died.[24] The hospital director said that the hospital had electricity until the morning of 12 November, meaning that 37 babies in incubators are at risk of dying.[25] The GHM claimed that 100 bodies would be buried in a mass grave inside the hospital.[26]

In a series of comments with Al Jazeera, Muhammad Abu Salmiya, the director of the hospital, said that the hospital was cut off from the rest of the city, trapping a reported 15,000 people inside. He also added that "patients were dying by the minute, victims and wounded were also dying, even babies in incubators."[27]

The Israeli military denies the siege of Al-Shifa after one of the senior Israeli military official issued a statement. The official stated that there wasn't any shooting or siege, and that the east side remained open.[28]

On 12 November, the WHO lost contact with the hospital.[21] The hospital director said that premature babies were in a 'precarious situation' and that they were transferred to an 'unhealthy location'. At this time, power was completely cut off in the hospital.[29] Minister of Health Mai Al-Kalia stated that over 100 bodies were buried in the graveyard, however the medical teams were unable to make a mass grave in the courtyard due to the 'seriousness of the field situation.' She also added that 39 babies were at risk of death and that one baby died that morning due to lack of fuel.[30] On 15 November, the Associated Press reported that Israeli forces were in the hospital, with the military stating “the soldiers were accompanied by medical teams and had brought medical supplies and baby food as well as incubators and other equipment.”[31]

On 13 November, about 50 people tried to evacuate from the hospital, but they said that Israeli forces fired at them, wounding one man.[32]

Hamas officials had reported to Agence France-Presse that the cardiac ward was struck by Israeli air strikes, which was confirmed by witnesses but not by AFP.[33]

Casualties

Gaza officials said an airstrike destroyed the hospital's cardiac ward, while a power cut shut down the neonatal unit's incubators where around 40 children were hosted and ventilators for others receiving urgent care.[34]

Impact

The situation at al-Shifa Hospital is part of a serious healthcare crisis in Gaza. The hospital is rapidly running out of electricity, food and medical supplies. The last generator ran out of fuel, killing three premature babies and four other patients. Another 36 children are at risk of death.[35][unreliable source?]

The blockade has resulted in a humanitarian disaster, with numerous Palestinians seeking refuge in medical facilities.[36] The toll on civilians, particularly children, has been extensive, with almost half of Gaza’s hospitals shutting down due to acute fuel scarcity.[37] The hospital has had to provide makeshift housing, and the absence of clean water and sanitation services is exacerbating the transmission of infectious diseases.[37]

Amidst the siege, Hamas suspended hostage negotiations due to Israel's takeover of Al-Shifa Hospital and heavy fire as Israeli forces approached the facility.[38]

Reactions

Government

China has described the struggling hospital as a manifestation of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.[39] The Palestinian Minister of Health, Mai al-Kaila, described Israeli actions as a "crime against humanity."[40] Joe Biden stated Gaza's hospitals "must be protected."[41] Justin Trudeau stated, "Even wars have rules... I urge the government of Israel to exercise maximum restraint... The world is witnessing this, the killing of women and children, of babies. This has to stop."[42]

Media

Antony Loewenstein noted Israel has a long history of "deliberately targeting medical facilities in the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza," and that IDF claims about military facilities needed to be "treated with deep scepticism."[43] Palestinian analyst Thabet Al-Amour stated, "This is madness, absolute madness… It’s a hospital."[44]

Organizations

The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that Al-Shifa Hospital is without electricity, putting patients, including children, at risk of death. WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on social media that al-Shifa had been without water for three days and was "no longer functioning as a hospital".[45] Doctors Without Borders reported that an ambulance and the patients inside were attacked near the hospital.[46]

A group of Israeli doctors, known as Doctors for the Rights of Israeli Soldiers, has signed a statement advocating the bombing of Al-Shifa hospital.[47][48] The statement was publicly signed by dozens of Israeli doctors and was widely shared on various social media platforms.[47] The doctors claimed that it was Israel's "legitimate right" to bomb al-Shifa hospital because it served as a base for "Palestinian armed groups".[49] Alice Rothchild, the director of Jewish Voice for Peace, stated noted Israel's lack of hard evidence of military operations at al-Shifa, stating, "Israeli sources have a long history of not being very accurate."[50]

Controversy over alleged military use of the hospital

There have been allegations that Hamas has been using the Al-Shifa Hospital for military purposes. Izzat al-Risheq, a Hamas official, denied allegations that the group was using Shifa Hospital as a shield for its underground military structures, saying there was no truth to the claims.[51][52] On 14 November, Associated Press stated Israel had provided no visual evidence for its claims.[53]

On 14 November 2023, the U.S. National Security Council spokesperson, John Kirby, said that the United States had its own intelligence sources indicating that Al Shifa hospital was being used by Hamas to run military operations and store weapons, which constitutes a war crime, however these “intelligence sources” are likely to be completely manufactured.[5]

Al-Shifa staff had appealed to the international community to send international delegations to the hospital to see that no military actions were taking place in the hospital.[6][54]

See also

References

  1. ^ Israel Defense Forces (15 November 2023). "Operational Update" (Post on 𝕏). 𝕏. Government of Israel. Retrieved 15 November 2023. IDF forces are carrying out a precise and targeted operation against Hamas in a specified area in the Shifa Hospital, based on intelligence information and an operational necessity.
  2. ^ Loveluck, Louisa; Brown, Cate; Kelly, Meg; Birnbaum, Michael (10 November 2023). "Israel's hunt for Hamas puts Gaza's al-Shifa Hospital under siege". Washington Post. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  3. ^ Burke, Jason; Michaelson, Ruth (11 November 2023). "Israeli troops in key battle with Hamas gunmen near Gaza City hospital". The Observer – via The Guardian.
  4. ^ "Israel says Hamas is using Gaza's biggest hospital for cover. Hundreds of people are trapped inside". AP News. 13 November 2023. Retrieved 14 November 2023.
  5. ^ a b Hunnicutt, Trevor (14 November 2023). "White House says it has evidence Hamas using Al Shifa hospital to run military actions". Reuters.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. ^ a b Abu Azzoum, Tareq. "Israeli military preparing to storm al-Shifa Hospital". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  7. ^ Federman, Josef; Adwan, Issam. "Hamas surprise attack out of Gaza stuns Israel and leaves hundreds dead in fighting, retaliation". abcnews.go.com. ABC News. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  8. ^ a b El-Haddad, Laila (December 2006). "Hammat al-Sammara/Hammam es-Samara/Sammara Public Baths". This Week in Palestine. Archived from the original on 7 September 2011. Retrieved 16 February 2009.
  9. ^ "Israel announces 'total' blockade on Gaza". www.aljazeera.com. Archived from the original on 9 October 2023. Retrieved 9 October 2023.
  10. ^ "Israel pummels Gaza with strikes as it expands ground operations". France 24. Agence France-Presse. 27 October 2023. Archived from the original on 28 October 2023. Retrieved 30 October 2023.
  11. ^ "IDF chief: Israeli forces have Gaza city surrounded". jpost.com. Jerusalem Post. 2 November 2023. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  12. ^ a b Carey, Andrew; John, Tara; Flower, Kevin (3 November 2023). "Israel admits airstrike on ambulance near hospital that witnesses say killed and wounded dozens". cnn.com. CNN. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  13. ^ Farmer, Ben (10 November 2023). "Gaza hospitals forced to evacuate after being encircled by Israeli tanks". The Telegraph. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  14. ^ a b "'We are minutes away from death': Gaza's al-Shifa Hospital under attack". aljazeera.com. Aljazeera. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  15. ^ Courtney, Connor (4 November 2023). "Palestine Red Crescent labels Israel bombing near Gaza's Al-Shifa hospital a 'war crime'". jurist.org. Jurist. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  16. ^ "Israeli forces target solar panels at Gaza's al-Shifa Hospital". Al Jazeera. 6 November 2023.
  17. ^ a b c d Malachy Browne, Neil Collier, 'Evidence Points to Israeli Shells in Strikes on Gaza’s Largest Hospital,' New York Times 14 November 2023.
  18. ^ "Israel-Hamas war live updates: Gaza's biggest hospital 'out of service' as power fails and bombing intensifies". nbcnews.com. NBC News. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  19. ^ Gozzi, Laura. "Israeli forces surround north Gaza hospitals". BBC News. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  20. ^ Baba, Anas. "Al-Shifa Hospital Evacuation Under Way". wsj.com. The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  21. ^ a b Rowlands, Lyndal; Power, John. "Israel-Gaza war live: WHO has lost contact with besieged Al-Shifa Hospital". aljazeera.com. Aljazeera. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  22. ^ Siddiqui, Usaid; Pietromarchi, Virginia. "Israel-Hamas war live: 39 babies 'fighting death' in al-Shifa Hospital". aljazeera.com. Aljazeera. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  23. ^ Robertson, Nick (11 November 2023). "Israeli military fired on people at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza, Doctors Without Borders claims". thehill.com. The Hill. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  24. ^ Al-Mughrabi, Nidal; Angel, Maytaal; Al-Mughrabi, Nidal; Angel, Maytaal. "Gaza official says two patients, including baby, died at hospital besieged by Israel". reuters.com. Reuters. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  25. ^ "Two premature babies die, 37 under threat at Gaza's al-Shifa Hospital". aljazeera.com. Aljazeera. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  26. ^ "100 bodies to be buried in mass grave inside Al-Shifa Hospital: Palestinian Health Ministry". tbsnews.net. The Business Standard. 11 November 2023. Retrieved 11 November 2023.
  27. ^ "Gaza's Al-Shifa hospital under siege, trapping thousands inside". The New Arab. 11 November 2023. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  28. ^ Shelley, Jo (11 November 2023). "Israeli military denies claims it has laid siege to Gaza's largest hospital". CNN. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  29. ^ "Premature babies in precarious situation: Hospital director". aje.io. Aljazeera. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  30. ^ "Medical staff unable to make mass grave in Shifa Hospital courtyard due to Israeli nonstop shelling: Palestinian Minister". Egypt Today. 12 November 2023. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  31. ^ "Israeli forces raid Gaza's largest hospital, where hundreds of patients are stranded by fighting". AP News. 15 November 2023. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  32. ^ "Stalemate around Gaza's main hospital draws out as Israel claims Hamas is hiding inside". PBS NewsHour. 14 November 2023. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  33. ^ "Hamas health official says Israel strike destroys Al-Shifa hospital cardiac ward". Macau Business. 12 November 2023. Retrieved 12 November 2023.
  34. ^ "Israeli strikes in Gaza kill at least 13, destroy al-Shifa's cardiac ward".
  35. ^ Reporter, Khaleda Rahman Senior News (12 November 2023). "Israel Denies Shifa Hospital 'Siege' As Medics Say People Are Trapped". Newsweek.
  36. ^ "Israeli forces close in on al-Shifa Hospital, trapping thousands".
  37. ^ a b "Ongoing Conflict in Gaza: Al-Shifa Hospital Center of Struggle". 10 November 2023.
  38. ^ Burke, Jason (12 November 2023). "Battle for al-Shifa hospital in Gaza fraught with diplomatic risk for Israel". The Guardian.
  39. ^ "Gaza's al Shifa Hospital: A Stark Reminder of the Humanitarian Crisis". 11 November 2023.
  40. ^ "Palestinian health minister accuses Israel of 'crimes against humanity' at al-Shifa Hospital". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  41. ^ Friedman, Lisa. "Biden calls for 'less intrusive action' around Gaza's battered hospitals". The New York Times. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  42. ^ "Netanyahu slams Canada's Trudeau for saying killing of women, children 'has to stop'". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  43. ^ "Israel has 'long history' of targeting medical facilities: Journalist". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  44. ^ "Analyst ridicules Israeli claim al-Shifa is a Hamas 'command centre'". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  45. ^ Slawson, Nicola (13 November 2023). "First Thing: al-Shifa hospital in Gaza 'no longer functioning', says WHO". The Guardian.
  46. ^ "Ambulances, patients struck near Gazas Al-Shifa hospital: Doctors Without Borders". Anews.
  47. ^ a b Shami, Suad Hadi,Layla Aswad,Samir. "Israel is bombing hospitals in Gaza with Israeli doctors' approval". Al Jazeera.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  48. ^ "Israeli doctors group calls for bombing Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza". anews.
  49. ^ "Israel-Palestine war: 100 Israeli doctors call for Gaza hospitals to be bombed". Middle East Eye.
  50. ^ "US al-Shifa hospital allegations seek to save face: Peace advocate". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  51. ^ Beaumont, Peter (30 October 2023). "What is a human shield and how has Hamas been accused of using them?". The Guardian.
  52. ^ "Hamas rejects Israeli claim over installations under al-Shifa hospital". Al Jazeera.
  53. ^ "Is Hamas hiding in Gaza's main hospital? Israel's claim is now a focal point in a dayslong stalemate". AP News. 13 November 2023. Retrieved 15 November 2023.
  54. ^ "Israel launches 'targeted' military operation inside Gaza's Al-Shifa Hospital". CNN.
source: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=&diff=prev&oldid=1185227551