A premature Palestinian baby, evacuated from Gaza, lies inside an incubator on the Egyptian side of the Rafah border, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Rafah, Egypt November 20, 2023 in this handout picture. Courtesy of the Egyptian Health Ministry/Handout via REUTERS
In the heart-wrenching developments unfolding in the Gaza Strip, a harrowing chapter transpired on Monday as 28 prematurely born babies were evacuated from Gaza’s largest hospital, Al Shifa, and urgently transported to Egypt for critical treatment. The evacuation took place amidst the chaos caused by Israel’s military assault on Gaza City.
The neonates, who had been in Al Shifa hospital, faced dire circumstances after their incubators were damaged during the military operations. Israeli forces took control of Shifa, claiming to search for tunnels belonging to Hamas beneath the hospital. The evacuation raised concerns, with conflicting accounts of whether it was voluntary or forced.
Live footage from Egypt’s Al Qahera TV captured the delicate process of medical staff transferring infants from ambulances to mobile incubators, ultimately destined for a hospital in Rafah before onward travel to Cairo. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), all the evacuated babies were grappling with serious infections.
Tragically, the situation worsened at the Indonesian Hospital in Beit Lahia, northeast Gaza, funded by Jakarta. Israeli tanks surrounded the facility, leading to at least 12 Palestinians killed and dozens wounded. The hospital, housing 700 patients and staff, faced intense Israeli fire, raising questions about compliance with the laws of armed conflict.
WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus condemned the attack, stating he was “appalled” by the reported casualties, including patients. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) claimed they responded to gunfire from within the hospital, emphasizing measures to minimize harm to non-combatants.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, echoing the stance of the United States, emphasized the importance of delivering humanitarian aid to Gaza civilians. Amidst the crisis, the UN reported limited fuel entering Gaza, falling below the minimum requirements for essential humanitarian operations.
The dire situation extended to other areas, with reports of Israeli airstrikes hitting civilian structures in Rafah and Khan Younis. Additionally, heavy fighting erupted around the Jabalia refugee camp in north Gaza, exacerbating the plight of its 100,000 residents.
As international leaders strive for a Qatari-mediated deal to release hostages and bring an end to the conflict, the toll on Gaza’s civilian population continues to mount. The United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed deep concern, stating that the killing of civilians in Gaza is unparalleled and unprecedented in any conflict during his tenure.
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