Israeli warplanes are intensifying their presence near Gaza’s hospitals, raising concerns about potential attacks on already struggling medical facilities. Al-Shifa and al-Quds hospitals in Gaza City have received evacuation orders from the Israeli military, which doctors and experts say is impossible to fulfill given the high number of patients, including those on life support. The situation is dire, as hospitals in the besieged enclave are already collapsing due to fuel and medicine shortages, with 16 out of 35 no longer functioning. The remaining hospitals warn that once their generators shut down, critical machines like ventilators and dialysis machines will cease to operate, essentially turning the facilities into morgues.
Recent attacks near al-Quds and other hospitals have sparked outrage, as they have been treating thousands of patients and providing shelter to 117,000 displaced people. The World Health Organization has stated that striking these hospitals would be illegal, and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has highlighted the lack of safe alternatives for patients and displaced individuals. The Israeli military has alleged that Hamas has established military complexes under hospitals, a claim that Hamas has denied.
The targeting of Gaza’s hospitals is not new, as last month’s explosion at al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City, which has yet to be independently investigated, resulted in nearly 500 deaths. Israel and Palestinian authorities have traded blame for the explosion, with Israel accusing Palestinian Islamic Jihad and providing evidence that has been questioned for its authenticity. According to international humanitarian law, hospitals are considered “civilian objects” and should be protected from attacks. However, exceptions exist if hospitals are used for non-humanitarian purposes or are located near legitimate military targets. Proportionality is also a factor, with the military aim justifying the harm caused.
Experts emphasize that hospitals should not lose their protection unless combatants are directly warned and given sufficient time to evacuate. In the current situation, it appears that no such warning has been issued. The conflict between Israel and Hamas continues to escalate, with Gaza’s hospitals caught in the crossfire and the lives of patients and displaced individuals hanging in the balance.
As the international community closely monitors the situation, urgent calls for the protection of Gaza’s hospitals and the provision of essential resources are being made. The plight of these medical facilities highlights the devastating impact of the conflict on innocent civilians and the urgent need for a peaceful resolution.
