Largest clinic in the Gaza Strip
Al-Shifa Hospital was reported to have been bombed
November 10, 2023, 6:27 p.m
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There was said to have been at least one explosion on the grounds of Al-Shifa Hospital in the Gaza Strip in the early hours of this morning. The director speaks of two dead and several injured. The maternity ward is also said to have been hit by Israeli attacks.
At least one explosion is reported to have occurred early this morning on the grounds of Al-Shifa Hospital. The director of the Gaza Strip’s largest clinic, Mohammad Abu Salamija, spoke of “Israeli attacks” and “bombardments” on clinic buildings where emergencies were treated and refugees had found refuge. There are two dead and ten injured. The radical Islamic group Hamas spoke of 13 dead and “dozens injured”. The reports cannot be independently verified. Israel’s army said it was investigating the reports.
Abu Salamiya also said Israeli tanks had shelled the area and hit the maternity ward at Al-Shifa Hospital. A journalist from the AFP news agency saw at least seven covered bodies outside the hospital. According to the health authority in the Gaza Strip, which is controlled by the radical Islamic Hamas, Israeli tanks besieged four hospitals in western Gaza. Witnesses reported tanks around the Al-Rantis Children’s Hospital.
The World Health Organization (WHO) also said it had received reports of intense fighting around Shifa Hospital. “But we don’t have any information about damage,” said Harris. The Shifa Hospital is the only one with a children’s ward. There are children in the intensive care unit and others who need dialysis. An interruption to their care would be life-threatening for them. Palestinian media and the terrorist organization Hamas reported fighting near several hospitals, including in the area of Shifa Hospital.
The Al-Shifa Hospital is said to serve as a Hamas hideout
On Thursday evening, the Israeli army reported heavy fighting near Al-Shifa hospital and said it had killed “more than 50 terrorists” and destroyed tunnels used by Hamas. Israel has repeatedly accused Hamas of using Al-Shifa Hospital as a hideout and to coordinate its attacks, something the terrorists deny.
The Israeli army launched its attacks on Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip in response to the Islamists’ brutal attack on Israel on October 7th. Hundreds of Hamas fighters had invaded Israel and committed atrocities, especially against civilians. According to Israeli figures, around 1,400 people were killed. More than 240 people were taken hostage in the Gaza Strip.
The militant Palestinian organization Islamic Jihad released a video on Thursday in which it said two of the hostages can be seen. The militant arm of the organization said it would release the old woman shown in the film and the 13-year-old boy “if the necessary security conditions are met on site.” The Israeli army immediately denounced the release of the video as “psychological terrorism.”