Emergency Evacuation at Gaza’s Al-Shifa Hospital Amid Tightening Israeli Control
In a harrowing development in Gaza, Israeli forces ordered the evacuation of al-Shifa Hospital, Gaza’s largest medical facility. The evacuation, which involved doctors, patients, and displaced individuals, occurred under dire circumstances, with some people reportedly forced to leave at gunpoint. This drastic measure comes as Israeli troops have been laying siege to the hospital for several days, resulting in the facility becoming largely deserted.
Over 7,000 people, including critically ill patients and newborn babies, were sheltered in al-Shifa. The hospital, already struggling with a lack of food, water, electricity, and oxygen, faced further distress with the forced evacuation. The situation was particularly grim for patients unable to move, amputees, and those in critical condition who had to remain behind with minimal medical staff. Additionally, at least 35 premature babies had been out of their incubators for eight days due to the lack of oxygen and electricity.
The evacuation process was marked by chaos and desperation. Many people left on foot due to the lack of transportation means in Gaza City and the northern parts, which is compounded by a fuel shortage. Israeli forces provided no transportation or fuel for ambulances to transfer patients, premature babies, and displaced families. The hospital’s staff also reported that the Israeli army instructed them to evacuate through an unusual route, further complicating the evacuation.
Al-Shifa Hospital has been a critical lifeline for the people of Gaza, and its evacuation deepens the humanitarian and environmental catastrophe the region faces. The lack of basic necessities and medical care has turned the hospital into what some describe as a “medieval cave,” highlighting the severity of the crisis. The Palestinian Authority condemned the evacuation, labeling Israel’s actions as part of the ongoing ethnic cleansing and genocide against Palestinians.
The evacuation of al-Shifa Hospital is a stark reminder of the ongoing conflict in the region and the immense human suffering it causes. The international community’s response to this crisis will be crucial in addressing the immediate needs of the people affected and in seeking a long-term solution to the conflict.
