DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip. In the latest developments from Gaza, thousands of Palestinians seeking refuge at Gaza City’s main hospital, Shifa, have evacuated southward following reported strikes in and around the compound. The exodus is part of a larger movement of people escaping the escalating urban conflict in the northern regions. The death toll in Gaza has now surpassed 11,000, with over 100,000 Palestinians fleeing south over the past two days.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claim that Hamas has established military infrastructure in Gaza City’s hospitals, including the main command center under Shifa Hospital. Israel has pledged to destroy Hamas after a deadly surprise incursion on October 7 that resulted in at least 1,200 casualties.
Several hospitals in northern Gaza, including Shifa, faced reported strikes overnight, prompting a mass evacuation of displaced individuals. Shifa Hospital, already overwhelmed by thousands of wounded, operates with minimal power and medical supplies. The director of Shifa, Mohammed Abu Selmia, revealed that Israel demanded the evacuation of the facility, but with no alternative locations, the patients had nowhere to go.
The situation worsened with reported strikes on the Nasr Medical Center, leading to the closure of its children’s hospital, the only specialized pediatric care facility in north Gaza. The conflict has raised concerns about the safety of civilians in hospital settings.
Tens of thousands of evacuees, including the wounded, walked for hours southward, facing bombardment and dire conditions. The UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, reiterated the prohibition of targeting buildings with civilians, emphasizing the importance of protecting hospitals, schools, and homes.
The Israeli military announced expanded evacuation windows for civilians in northern Gaza, but the ongoing conflict has displaced more than two-thirds of Gaza’s population. The death toll has risen to over 11,070 Palestinians, with concerns that the actual number could be higher. The conflict has also led to over 1,200 deaths in Israel, mainly from the initial Hamas attack.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken expressed concern over Palestinian casualties and emphasized the need for more significant efforts to minimize civilian harm. The situation remains volatile, with Palestinian militants continuing to launch rockets into Israel, resulting in injuries. The conflict has displaced hundreds of thousands on both sides of the border, escalating tensions in the region.
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.
