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Rabat – In the early hours of Wednesday, Israeli occupation forces raided Gaza City’s Al-Shifa Hospital, ratcheting up tensions in the region and triggering widespread international concern for the safety of the multitude of Palestinians seeking shelter within the facility.
This move has spurred urgent calls for international intervention, with the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasizing the critical need to protect the medical personnel, patients, and displaced individuals taking refuge at Al-Shifa Hospital.
Condemning the Israeli assault as a “blatant violation of international law, humanitarian standards, and the Geneva Conventions,” the ministry positioned the incident within a broader pattern of violations and crimes by the occupying Israeli forces against the Palestinian people.
Responsibility for the security of medical teams, including children, premature infants, and displaced persons, was squarely placed on the Israeli government by Palestinian diplomatic representatives. The gravity of the situation was underscored by the fact that some 700 patients remained in the hospital, including about 100 in critical condition.
Over 1,000 medical staff find themselves trapped on-site, their ability to provide essential care hampered by shortages of both medicine and fuel.
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The World Health Organization (WHO) echoed the growing global concern, with Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressing deep worry over reports of a military incursion into Al-Shifa Hospital.
The WHO reported losing contact with the health personnel at the hospital, heightening fears about the immediate and long-term impact on medical operations and the safety of those seeking refuge.
“We’re extremely worried for their [health personnel] and their patients’ safety,” emphasized Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
A surgeon, speaking to Al Jazeera, painted a dire picture of the situation, describing it as “a totally scary time” for families, civilians, and hospital staff. The concerns extend far beyond the immediate military aggression, encompassing the well-being of those seeking medical care and refuge during this crisis.
