RAFAH, Gaza Strip. Israeli forces entered the main hospital in southern Gaza on Thursday, following an incident where a patient was killed and six others wounded by Israeli fire within the complex. The Israeli army cited suspicions of hostages being held by Hamas as the reason for the limited operation.
The raid occurred after Israeli forces attempted to evacuate displaced individuals from Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, a focal point of Israel’s recent offensive against Hamas. Tensions in the region have escalated, with Israel and Lebanon’s Hezbollah exchanging attacks, raising concerns of a wider conflict.
Israeli military spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari stated that the operation was precise and limited, emphasizing that medical staff and patients would not be forcibly removed. Israel accuses Hamas of using civilian structures, including hospitals, as shields for its fighters.
Ashraf al-Qidra, a spokesperson for Gaza’s Health Ministry, condemned the incursion, alleging heavy shooting that injured displaced individuals seeking refuge in the hospital. He criticized the military’s directive to relocate patients to an older, inadequately equipped building, highlighting the challenges faced by those unable to evacuate safely.
Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes in southern Lebanon continued for a second day, prompted by a previous rocket attack that resulted in casualties on both sides of the border. Tensions between Israel and Hezbollah, a Hamas ally, have intensified, heightening fears of an expanded conflict.
Negotiations for a ceasefire in Gaza have stalled, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterating his commitment to the offensive until Hamas is dismantled and hostages, taken during a previous attack, are returned.
Scenes of Chaos in Hospital
Nasser Hospital has become emblematic of the devastation wrought upon Gaza’s healthcare system amid ongoing conflict. Videos from the aftermath of the recent strike depicted medics navigating through smoke-filled corridors, attending to wounded patients amidst the chaos.
Dr. Khaled Alserr, one of the remaining surgeons at Nasser Hospital, described the escalating situation as dire, with patients already grappling with previous injuries. The ongoing conflict has further strained resources and hampered efforts to provide adequate care.
International humanitarian organizations, including Doctors Without Borders, have decried the predicament faced by those within Nasser Hospital, caught between military operations and the imperative of seeking medical treatment.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
