Israel Withdraws Military Forces from Gaza’s Largest Hospital
Massive Destruction at Al-Shifa Hospital Following IDF’s 14-Day Siege
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Israeli military forces have completed their withdrawal from Al-Shifa, Gaza’s largest hospital, after a grueling 14-day siege. Witnesses and Gazan authorities have described the medical facility as largely destroyed as a result of the siege. Buildings have been charred and completely demolished.
“The situation is very bad,” said Mahmoud Bassal, the spokesperson for Gaza’s Civil Defense. He further emphasized the dire situation at Al-Shifa, stating, “It is completely destroyed and burned down. Many of its buildings are totally destroyed or charred.”
Eye-witnesses have reported injured and dead bodies scattered throughout the hospital grounds and bodies buried in the hospital yards. Images from the area depict extensive and widespread destruction, leaving the complex in ruins.
Over 30 wounded individuals have been transported from Al-Shifa to Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital, located east of Gaza City.
Israel Defense Forces Confirm Withdrawal
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued a statement on Monday, confirming their withdrawal from Al-Shifa. The IDF claimed to have completed “precise operational activity” in the area.
In response to the allegations of targeting civilians and medical staff, the IDF stated that their troops “prevented harm to civilians, patients, and medical teams” and that civilians and medical personnel were evacuated during the operation. However, Palestinians present at and around Al-Shifa have reported civilian casualties, arrests, and the detention of medical personnel by Israeli troops.
International Law and Hospital Targeting
Targeting hospitals during times of war is strictly prohibited under international law. However, these regulations change if enemy combatants are using medical facilities to launch attacks against the enemy.
Israeli officials have consistently claimed that Hamas fighters seek shelter in civilian places, including mosques and hospitals, to evade Israeli attacks. Hamas has categorically denied these allegations.
An Unfortunate Scene of Devastation
Khader Al-Za’anoun, a journalist from the official Palestinian news agency Wafa and also working for a highly reputable news source, described the scene at Al-Shifa following the IDF’s withdrawal as resembling “a horror movie.” Bulldozers were observed crushing bodies both inside and around the hospital. Families desperately searched the destroyed complex for missing loved ones.
Survivors in the compound face a severe humanitarian crisis, as many are malnourished and forced to share limited water resources. Some people living around Al-Shifa reported heavy firing in the area, with homes being shelled and children still buried under the rubble.
Continued Tensions and International Condemnation
The recent siege on Al-Shifa is the second of its kind, with the IDF previously raiding the hospital in November. The IDF claimed to have dismantled Hamas’ command structure in northern Gaza by January.
International organizations, including the World Health Organization (WHO), have denounced the siege and highlighted the fact that hospitals should never be battlefields. Various humanitarian groups have warned of an impending famine in northern Gaza, with 70% of the population already suffering from catastrophic levels of hunger. The Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) predicts that the region could experience famine between mid-March and May 2024.
Conclusion
The withdrawal of Israeli military forces from Gaza’s largest hospital, Al-Shifa, marks the end of a devastating 14-day siege. Witnesses and Gazan authorities have described the extensive destruction of the medical facility, leaving it in ruins. The international community and humanitarian groups have denounced the targeting of hospitals and warned of the ongoing humanitarian crisis and impending famine in northern Gaza.
