Gaza, November 5, 2023 – The besieged strip of Gaza has experienced its third total communications outage since the start of the war, as Israel claims to have divided the territory into two. Israel continues its heavy shelling near several hospitals in the northern part of Gaza, causing concerns among officials in the enclave. Salama Maarouf, head of the Hamas government’s media office, reported intense bombings around hospitals on Sunday evening. Al Shifa, the largest hospital in the Palestinian territory, faced particularly heavy strikes. Safwat Kahlout, reporting from Deir Al Balah in central Gaza, noted that the most intense shelling on Sunday was happening in the hospital’s vicinity. He suggested that the Israeli army might be planning something significant, possibly targeting Al Shifa Hospital itself.
The ongoing bombings have left around 2.3 million Gaza civilians unable to access emergency medical services. This blackout marks the third time since the escalation began. Earlier on Sunday, an Israeli attack near Al Quds Hospital in Gaza City wounded at least 14 people and caused damage to the building. The Israeli military once again accused Hamas of using hospitals in their military campaign against Israel. However, Hamas has consistently denied these allegations.
The Israeli army confirmed that significant strikes were taking place in Gaza on Sunday, claiming that their ground assault had divided the Palestinian territory into south and north Gaza. Spokesperson Daniel Hagari stated that Israeli forces had encircled Gaza City and now held the coastline. At the same time, internet access advocacy group NetBlocks.org reported a collapse in connectivity across Gaza, a blackout confirmed by the Palestinian telecom company Paltel.
The blackout has raised concerns about the safety of patients, health workers, and the thousands of people seeking shelter in Al Quds Hospital. The World Health Organization (WHO) has expressed its worries and called for an immediate ceasefire, active protection of civilians and healthcare, and respect for International Humanitarian Law. The International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent also voiced its concerns about the heavy shelling near Al Quds Hospital, emphasizing the need for protection and assistance.
Since the beginning of the war, hospitals and ambulances have been repeatedly targeted, resulting in the deaths of patients, displaced civilians seeking shelter, and healthcare workers. The WHO reports that 39 health facilities have been damaged, and hospitals have been forced to shut down or reduce services due to electricity and fuel supply cuts. The devastating impact of the conflict is evident, with at least 9,770 Palestinians, including 4,008 children, killed in the Gaza Strip, and entire neighborhoods reduced to rubble. Additionally, an attack by Hamas on southern Israel claimed the lives of over 1,400 people. The United Nations estimates that nearly 1.5 million people are now internally displaced in Gaza.
The situation in Gaza remains dire, with the continuous shelling and communication outages exacerbating the already dire humanitarian crisis. The international community is urged to take immediate action to protect civilians and ensure access to essential healthcare services.
