This morning, the main hospitals in Gaza were targeted by a series of explosions. The Indonesian Hospital in Gaza was shaken, causing people to scramble for cover. A reporter who was live on air had to duck, while the anchor urged him to run for shelter.
Today, Israel announced that it has evacuated the Rentis Children’s Hospital in Gaza. At the city’s main hospital, Alifa, the severely wounded are crammed into the corridors, and they are now only treating life-threatening wounds. Earlier on Friday, there was an explosion at the hospital grounds, causing a girl to scream and question why this was happening. Israel claims that this explosion was caused by a failed Palestinian rocket launch inside the hospital.
Doctors are jostling with refugees for space amidst the cries of the wounded. We spoke to one of the doctors who said that the healthcare system has completely collapsed. Currently, they are working with less than 15% capacity of nurses and doctors in the hospital. They are only able to perform life-threatening surgeries.
Israel’s military spokesman, Peter Learner, stated that they are focusing on the hospitals because that’s where Hamas is positioned, with all their capabilities in and around the hospitals. However, there are thousands of patients who are severely wounded and unable to be moved. Ambulance services are operational, but a decision needs to be made to move them. Israel has been urging Gazans to flee southward and has opened humanitarian corridors, but they are now overwhelmed with refugees.
In the past two days alone, more than 150,000 people have fled Gaza, with most of them walking and the elderly using donkey carts. A mother is seen dragging her toddlers in their car seats.
The US has been increasingly vocal in criticizing Israel’s conduct of its war against Hamas, as far too many Palestinians have been killed and suffered. According to the Hamas-run Health Ministry, over 11,000 Palestinians have been killed, while Israeli officials report over 12,200 deaths.
Additionally, there are nearly 240 hostages still being held in Gaza. Israel’s military spokesman described the negotiations for their release as complex. Stay updated on breaking news by subscribing to ABC7 Chicago Eyewitness News on YouTube..
