Escalating Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza as Airstrikes Hit Hospitals and School

In a series of intense military actions on Friday, Israeli airstrikes targeted three hospitals and a school in Gaza, resulting in at least 22 casualties, while a ground battle unfolded near another medical facility. The largest hospital in Gaza, Al-Shifa, bore the brunt of missile strikes, damaging the Indonesian Hospital and causing a reported fire at the Nasser Rantissi pediatric cancer hospital.

The affected hospitals are situated in northern Gaza, an area Israel claims is a stronghold of Hamas militants responsible for last month’s attacks. Israeli forces, advancing through northern Gaza for nearly two weeks, positioned tanks around critical medical institutions, including the Nasser Rantissi, Children’s, and Eye hospitals, as well as the Al-Quds hospital.

Expressing deep concern, Mohammad Abu Selmeyah, director of Shifa hospital, stated that Israel seemed to be initiating a campaign against hospitals in Gaza City. Gaza health ministry spokesperson Ashraf Al-Qidra reported five bombings on Shifa hospital buildings, resulting in casualties. The situation escalated as Israeli forces reportedly shot at Al-Quds hospital, leading to violent clashes and additional casualties, predominantly children.

While Israel maintains that it avoids targeting civilians and seeks to protect them, it alleges that Hamas employs hospitals as shields, concealing command centers and tunnels beneath medical facilities. The Israeli military asserted that Hamas exploits civilian infrastructure, turning schools, hospitals, and mosques into opportunities for concealment.

The conflict, ongoing for a month, has led to mounting global calls for restraint, particularly as civilian casualties rise. The Israeli military claims to have struck over 15,000 “terror targets” in Gaza and identified 6,000 weapons since the conflict began. Despite international efforts for a ceasefire, Hamas’s armed wing declared its continued rocket attacks on Israel.

As tensions escalate, thousands of Gaza residents are fleeing south, exacerbating an already dire humanitarian situation. With Gaza’s hospitals struggling to cope amid dwindling supplies, clean water shortages, and fuel scarcity, the plight of civilians has reached a critical point.

In the wake of the recent attacks on medical facilities, the situation in Gaza remains perilous, with civilians caught in the crossfire and humanitarian resources stretched to their limits. The international community faces mounting challenges in securing a resolution to the conflict and providing essential aid to the affected population.