Amid the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, the perilous situation has escalated with Israeli forces reaching the vicinity of the Ash-Shifa hospital in Gaza City, reported by the Iranian news agency ISNA. Intense battles are taking place close to the building, trapping both civilians and hospital staff within its confines.
Israeli forces have reportedly encircled several hospitals in northern Gaza, including the Al Shifa hospital – the largest medical facility in the region. This military action has trapped thousands of civilians, including displaced individuals seeking shelter from the violence. The damage caused by airstrikes and shelling has also impacted hospital infrastructure, with the maternity ward and outpatient clinic at Al Shifa among the affected areas.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has verified numerous attacks on healthcare facilities, patients, and ambulances in Gaza since the conflict began, causing the health system to edge towards a collapse. Hospitals are operating beyond their capacities, unable to meet the overwhelming demand for medical care. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has stressed the need to protect hospitals, health workers, and patients, given the critical state of the healthcare system and the risks faced by vulnerable individuals.
