DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip. The intensity of the conflict between Israel and Hamas has reached a critical juncture, casting a shadow over Gaza’s largest hospital, Shifa Hospital. As Israel’s attacks persist, the last generator at Shifa runs out of fuel, prompting a dire situation for patients and medical staff.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, however, rebuffs calls from Western allies to do more to safeguard Palestinian civilians, asserting that Shifa Hospital serves as Hamas’ primary command post. Israeli authorities claim militants are using civilians as human shields and have constructed elaborate bunkers beneath the hospital, allegations vehemently denied by Hamas and Shifa staff.
Reports from Shifa indicate a grim reality: casualties, including a premature baby, due to the halt in medical services caused by the lack of electricity. Director Mohammed Abu Selmia paints a harrowing picture, describing Israeli troops shooting at anyone outside or inside the hospital, impeding movement within the compound.
The veracity of the claim that Israeli troops are the sole source of fire remains unverified independently. The Israeli military, responding to reports of firing into the Shifa courtyard, states that troops are engaged in fighting Hamas in the vicinity, emphasizing efforts to prevent harm to civilians.
As the conflict enters its second month, international pressure mounts for a ceasefire. French President Emmanuel Macron calls for an immediate halt to hostilities, asserting there is “no justification” for Israel’s ongoing bombing. The United States, while defending Israel’s right to protect itself, pushes for temporary pauses to allow wider aid distribution in the besieged territory.
However, Israel has only agreed to brief daily evacuation windows, allowing civilians to flee the northern combat zone to the south. Over 150,000 civilians have fled the north during these periods, seeking refuge from the relentless violence. A new evacuation window is announced, allowing civilians to use central and coastal roads for safer passage.
Yet, concerns deepen as fighting encroaches on densely populated neighborhoods in Gaza City, bringing hospitals closer to the frontline. Shifa Hospital, a haven for thousands of civilians in recent weeks, witnesses a mass exodus after nearby strikes. Despite the attempts to evacuate, thousands remain in the north, seeking shelter in hospitals and overcrowded U.N. facilities.
Casualties on both sides continue to rise, with over 11,000 Palestinians, predominantly women and minors, reported killed since the conflict’s onset. The Health Ministry in Hamas-controlled Gaza, which does not differentiate between civilian and militant deaths, reports over 2,700 people missing, possibly trapped or dead under rubble.
Secretary of State Antony Blinken outlines fundamental principles for a post-war Gaza, emphasizing no forcible displacement of Palestinians, no use of Gaza as a platform for launching terrorism, and a commitment to Palestinian-led governance. Blinken’s principles reveal a divergence from Israel’s security-centric approach.
Internationally, leaders seek a cohesive strategy for Gaza’s future. Saudi Arabia hosts discussions, initially intended as separate gatherings but merged due to escalating violence. The aim is to expedite the decision-making process in response to the worsening humanitarian crisis.
As the conflict rages on, hospitals like Shifa become battlegrounds, amplifying the urgency for a ceasefire and humanitarian intervention. The toll on civilians, infrastructure, and the geopolitical landscape continues to evolve, leaving the world on edge and in search of a sustainable resolution.
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.
