Gaza’s al-Shifa Hospital was forced to bury dead patients in a ‘mass grave’ | Israel-Palestine conflict news
The director of the hospital says that 179 bodies were buried together in the courtyard while Israeli forces surrounded the facility.
Workers at Gaza City’s al-Shifa Hospital have buried dozens of dead patients in a mass grave, hospital officials say, as thousands of Palestinians remain trapped in the facility surrounded by Israeli forces.
“There are bodies in garbage in the hospital building, and the morgues no longer have electricity,” Al-Shifa Hospital Director Mohammad Abu Salmiya told AFP news agency on Tuesday. “We had to bury them in a mass grave.”
He said that 179 bodies have been buried so far in the courtyard and that seven babies and 29 intensive care patients were among those who have died since the fuel for the hospital’s generator ran out on Saturday.
Israeli forces have surrounded the Gaza Strip’s largest hospital, which Israel says sits atop a complex of tunnels and a command center manned by fighters from the armed wing of the ruling Palestinian group Hamas. Gaza, using.
Hamas has denied the presence of fighters and said 650 patients and 5,000 to 7,000 displaced civilians are trapped inside the hospital grounds and under constant fire from snipers and drones.
The United Nations estimated that at least 2,300 people – patients, workers and displaced civilians – are inside and may not be able to escape amid intense fighting.
The deteriorating situation in hospitals in Gaza has been a source of tension between Israel and its allies due to the Israeli attack and siege on Gaza, which has cut off access to fuel.
Speaking on Monday, US President Joe Biden said he hoped to see “a less intrusive action compared to hospitals”.
The United Nations said 22 of 36 hospitals in Gaza are not working due to lack of generator fuel, damage and fighting.
“The 14 hospitals that remain open have barely enough supplies to carry out emergency and life-saving surgeries and provide patient care, including intensive care,” the World Health Organization said ( WHO) in the Palestinian Territories.
Gaza Health Ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra said on Tuesday that Israel’s offer to move babies out of Al-Shifa Hospital with portable incubators has not resulted in a concrete plan.
Speaking to reporters in Geneva on Tuesday, WHO spokeswoman Margaret Harris said moving sick and vulnerable patients out of hospital was an “impossible task”. .
“And again, why would you need to move them? ” she asked. “A hospital should never be under attack. A hospital is a safe place. This is agreed under international humanitarian law.”
Israel has denied that the hospital is under siege and said it is forcing people within the hospital’s corridors to flee. Medical staff and health officials at the hospital have rejected the claim and said that the Israeli fire has brought an additional risk to the performance of their medical duties.
“The occupation continues to attack the hospital, and they shoot into the gardens from time to time,” said al-Qudra. “We can’t move around yet, but sometimes doctors take the risk when they have to take care of patients. “
Israel has invaded Gaza and launched a ground offensive after Hamas fighters from the region attacked southern Israel last month, killing more than 1,200 people, which according to Israeli officials.
The Israeli attack has killed more than 11,200 people, including more than 4,600 children, according to Palestinian officials.
