By Ken Afor
Israel was accused by Gaza officials of carrying out air strikes on or close to three hospitals on Friday, exacerbating the already fragile health system of the Palestinian enclave as it strives to handle thousands of injured or dispossessed individuals in the battle with Hamas militants launched by Israel.
“The Israeli occupation launched simultaneous strikes on a number of hospitals during the past hours”, Gaza Ministry of Health spokesman Ashraf Al-Qidra told Al Jazeera television.
At Al Shifa, the largest hospital in Gaza, Israel alleges that Hamas has concealed command centres and tunnels, which Hamas denies. Qidra reported that there were victims when Israel launched an attack on the courtyard of the health complex in Gaza City, though he did not furnish further information.
The Israeli military did not make any comment in response to Qidra’s statement.
Gaza’s medical facilities have been severely strained in trying to treat those wounded by the month-long military operation initiated by Israel, intended to eradicate the Palestinian militant organization Hamas, without essential medical materials, potable water, and fuel to fuel the generators.
The Health Ministry reported that 18 of Gaza’s 35 hospitals and 40 other healthcare facilities were either inoperable due to damage from bombardment or a shortage of fuel.
On Friday, footage of Al Shifa was released by Palestinian media, showing the effects that followed an Israeli attack on a parking area that sheltered Palestinians who were displaced and journalists who were documenting the event.
The body of a man, accompanied by a pool of blood, was seen being lifted onto a stretcher.
“With ongoing strikes and fighting nearby (Al Shifa), we are gravely concerned about the well-being of thousands of civilians there, many children among them, seeking medical care and shelter,” Human Rights Watch said on social media site X.
Qidra said Al-Rantisi Pediatric Hospital and Al-Nasr Children’s Hospital “have been witnessing a series of direct attacks and bombardments” on Friday.
He reported that some vehicles had been set ablaze on Al-Rantisi Hospital premises and were partially extinguished.
