Gaza City’s main hospital, Al-Shifa, witnessed a significant evacuation on Saturday as hundreds, including patients, left the facility amidst escalating violence. While some medical staff claimed they were instructed to evacuate, Israel disputed this assertion.
The scenes unfolded against a backdrop of gunfire and rubble-strewn streets, with many individuals seen leaving the hospital premises. Simultaneously, reports from Hamas health officials indicated that two explosions in Jabalia, northern Gaza, resulted in the tragic deaths of 80 people.
Controversy surrounds an alleged strike on a UN school-turned-shelter, with Israel stating it could not confirm the incident but was conducting an investigation. BBC Verify’s geolocation of footage pointed to Al-Fakhoura school in Jabalia, revealing severe injuries and casualties, including women and children.
Philippe Lazzarini, head of the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA), expressed horror at the images emanating from one of their schools, emphasizing the need to halt such attacks.
The Hamas-run health ministry reported over 30 casualties from the same family in Jabalia, attributing the deaths to an Israeli strike. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) expanded operations in Gaza, including Jabalia, aiming to target Hamas.
The Hamas-run health ministry claimed a death toll of 12,300 in Gaza, with over 2,000 individuals feared buried under rubble. At Al-Shifa hospital, only patients unable to move and a limited number of doctors remained, as described by a journalist who raised white flags during the difficult night marked by explosions and gunfire.
While the IDF denied ordering Al-Shifa’s evacuation, it acknowledged facilitating the departure of those wanting to leave through a secure route. Dr. Ramez Radwan, who claimed to be ordered to leave Al-Shifa by Israeli authorities, painted a grim picture of the hospital’s conditions, citing a lack of painkillers and antibiotics.
Amidst ongoing military operations, Israel urged Palestinians in northern Gaza to evacuate for their safety and extended the evacuation directive to residents in the southern city of Khan Younis, home to many who had fled the northern regions.
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.
