Witnesses Detail Brutality and Desperation Inside Gaza's Largest Hospital
Alarming Conditions at Gaza's al-Shifa Hospital as Israeli Assault Takes Toll
Israel's military assault on Gaza's al-Shifa Hospital has brought "terror and death" to the thousands trapped within, according to witnesses recounting brutal actions by the Israeli forces. The hospital, the largest in Gaza, has been under intense focus as Israeli attacks concentrated on the surrounding area, claiming it harbors a Hamas base.
Reports from those inside the hospital describe scarcity of food and water, with decomposing corpses accumulating. Omar Zaqout, an emergency room employee, stated that Israeli soldiers detained and brutally assaulted some men seeking refuge in the hospital. The army allegedly surrounded every building within the hospital complex, leaving a dire situation for the trapped individuals.
Ahmed El Mokhallalati, a surgeon in the hospital, reported that tanks were brought in after continuous aggressive attacks. The situation inside the hospital is described as terrifying, with challenges in basic hygiene, lack of water, and no supplies for six days. The oxygen station is reportedly not functioning, and the medical staff is struggling to care for patients.
Expressing shock and frustration, El Mokhallalati questioned the international community's response, asking where the support and intervention are in times of war. He emphasized the urgency of the situation and the apparent lack of global action to address the crisis unfolding in Gaza.
The raid on al-Shifa Hospital comes after five days of intense attacks, positioning it as the focal point of Israel's war in Gaza. Israel and the United States claim that Hamas hides a military command center beneath the hospital, an accusation vehemently denied by Hamas and the medical staff at al-Shifa. The toll from the conflict has risen significantly, with differing accounts of casualties from both sides. The situation remains critical, with concerns about the ability to provide humanitarian aid to those trapped in the hospital amid the ongoing violence.
