24-11-2023 (GAZA) Director of Al Shifa Hospital, Gaza City’s largest medical facility, Mohammad Abu Salmiya, was apprehended by Israeli forces on Thursday (Nov 23), citing the alleged use of the hospital by Hamas. The arrest comes in the wake of Israeli military operations focusing on the hospital, following attacks by Hamas on October 7.
Israeli forces, who conducted a raid on the hospital last week, claim that a tunnel complex beneath Al Shifa was utilized by Hamas fighters for staging attacks. Both Hamas and hospital officials vehemently deny these allegations.
Palestinian health authorities report that not only Abu Salmiya but also another doctor and two nurses have been taken into custody. Israeli military, in a statement, asserted that evidence indicated Shifa Hospital, under Abu Salmiya’s management, functioned as a Hamas command and control center. The military alleges extensive terrorist activity at the hospital during his tenure, including the use of hospital resources for a Hamas tunnel network.
The fate of Abu Salmiya hinges on whether further investigation reveals his involvement in terrorist activities, according to the Israeli military.
In response to the arrests, Hamas issued a statement condemning the actions and urged the International Committee of the Red Cross and other international bodies to work towards the immediate release of those detained.
On the same evening, Gaza health ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra reported significant damage to the Indonesian Hospital in Gaza City due to heavy bombardment. Concerns were raised about the well-being of patients and staff, given the compromised state of the facility.
Qudra emphasized that despite the disputed evacuation order issued on Saturday, approximately 180 patients and staff remained at Al Shifa, lacking essential resources. Allegedly, the Israeli army threatened the hospital through loudspeakers, demanding evacuation and implying potential bombing.
Al Shifa hospital has been a focal point of Israeli special forces operations against Gaza militants. Recent military actions include the escorting of journalists to a tunnel shaft at the hospital complex, identified as part of a vast underground network used by Hamas.
Contradictory accounts surround the evacuation order. While Salmiya claimed to have received the order from Israeli forces, the military asserted that the evacuations were carried out at his request. An audio recording, released by the military, purportedly captures a conversation between Salmiya and a senior Israeli officer blaming each other for the evacuation.
The Palestinian Red Crescent reported collaborating with the United Nations to evacuate 190 wounded and sick individuals, along with medical staff, from Al Shifa to other southern Gaza hospitals. Delays at the checkpoint between northern and southern Gaza extended the evacuation to nearly 20 hours. Three paramedics were detained during the process, with two subsequently released.
The Hamas-run government in Gaza claims a significant death toll, nearly 15,000, since the initiation of the Israeli military campaign. While Hamas initiated the conflict on October 7, Israeli officials state that approximately 1,200 people, primarily civilians, were killed, and around 240 were taken hostage in the ensuing hostilities.
