Recently, the Israeli occupation forces raided Nasser Hospital in the southern Gaza Strip, in the city of Han Yunis. According to the Israeli army, the aim of the operation was to recover the bodies of the hostages. However, the Gaza Ministry of Health claimed that the IDF turned the hospital into a military base after they entered it and destroyed its southern wall.
According to information from the Palestinian Ministry of Health, one patient died and several others were injuredK, when the occupation forces opened fire on one of the institution’s buildings.
The Israeli army explained that they were carrying out a “precise and limited operation” because intelligence informed them that Hamas was holding hostages in the hospital. Admiral Daniel Hagary He explained that there are no instructions to evacuate patients or staff and bHe stressed that medical care will be provided in coordination with international organizations.
Many international organizations have expressed their concern about the incident. The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights and the World Health Organization also expressed concern about the effects of the raid. The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, emphasized the key role that Nasser Hospital plays in the health system in the southern Gaza Strip, and stressed the importance of protecting them.
Cover image source: Portfolio/Getty Images