US President Joe Biden has expressed his concern for the safety of Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza as Israeli forces continue to surround the facility, leaving hundreds of patients and staff trapped inside. Biden, speaking from the White House on Monday, called for “less intrusive action” from Israel towards the hospital, which has been repeatedly targeted by Israeli bombing and snipers. He emphasized the importance of protecting hospitals and stated that his administration is in contact with Israeli authorities regarding the situation.
The United States, along with Qatar, is also working towards negotiating a pause in the conflict to facilitate the release of prisoners. Biden remains hopeful that progress can be made on this front. However, the immediate priority is to ensure the safety of Al-Shifa Hospital, where medics have reported increasing casualties, including newborn babies. Witnesses have described tanks and armored vehicles positioned just meters away from the hospital entrance, making it difficult for staff to provide essential care to patients. Power outages, dwindling medical supplies, and Israeli bombardment have further exacerbated the situation.
According to the Palestinian health ministry spokesperson, Ashraf al-Qudra, at least 32 patients, including six premature babies, have died at the hospital since Friday. Tragically, three nurses have also lost their lives. The UN relief agency in the occupied Palestinian territory has confirmed these fatalities. Israel has alleged that Hamas operates a command center under the hospital, a claim vehemently denied by the armed group and hospital officials.
In an effort to justify its actions, Israel’s military released a video on Monday claiming to have discovered a weapons cache in a tunnel connected to Rantissi Hospital, a facility for treating children in northern Gaza. The military spokesperson, Daniel Hagari, accused Hamas of using hospitals as hideouts and vowed to expose this to the world. As a result of Israeli bombardment and a shortage of supplies, Al-Shifa, Al-Quds, and Kamal Adwan hospitals have suspended operations since Sunday. Israel has requested that civilians evacuate Al-Shifa, while medics are urged to transfer patients to other facilities.
Hani Mahmoud, reporting from Khan Younis, explained the challenges faced by patients in adhering to the Israeli military’s demands. Many patients require wheelchairs or are disabled, making it impossible for them to comply. He raised concerns about the contradictory nature of the Israeli military’s actions, offering safe corridors to journalists while imposing difficult conditions on patients.
The current escalation in Gaza is a response to Hamas’ attacks on Israeli communities in early October. Israeli officials claim that over 1,200 people, mostly civilians, have been killed as a result. However, since the conflict began, the health ministry in Gaza, which is governed by Hamas, has reported over 11,240 Palestinian casualties, including more than 4,600 children.
The situation in Al-Shifa Hospital remains critical, with the lives of patients and staff hanging in the balance. The international community, including the United States, is closely monitoring the developments and urging Israel to exercise restraint to prevent further loss of life and damage to vital healthcare facilities.
