15-11-2023 (GAZA) Gaza’s primary hospital, Al Shifa, has been compelled to bury numerous deceased patients in a mass grave, according to the hospital’s director on Tuesday. The hospital, caught in the crossfire of fierce combat, is at the brink of being overrun by Israeli forces, who claim it houses an underground Hamas command center. However, the militants deny these allegations, and doctors report that thousands of people are trapped inside, enduring horrific conditions.
Mohammad Abu Salmiyah, the director of Al Shifa Hospital, revealed the dire situation, stating that bodies are scattered throughout the hospital complex, and the morgues are without electricity. So far, 179 bodies have been interred, including seven infants and 29 intensive care patients who perished due to the lack of fuel for the hospital’s generator. “We were forced to bury them in a mass grave,” lamented Abu Salmiyah.
Eyewitnesses have attested to the pervasive stench of decomposing bodies permeating the facility. The United Nations estimates that thousands, potentially more than 10,000 individuals, including patients, staff, and displaced civilians, are trapped inside the hospital, unable to escape due to the raging conflict nearby.
While Israel claims that the hospital is not a target, its military operations continue unabated as a response to the October 7 attacks by Hamas, which resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis, the majority of whom were civilians. This has led to 240 hostages being taken in Gaza.
The Health Ministry in Hamas-controlled Gaza reports that Israel’s relentless assault has claimed the lives of 11,240 people, predominantly civilians, including thousands of children. Israel’s military has confirmed the deaths of 47 of its troops in Gaza.
Amid mounting international outrage over the casualties and suffering inflicted on Gaza’s civilian population, US President Joe Biden has called on Israel to exercise “less intrusive action” concerning the hospital. These remarks represent some of Biden’s most pointed comments to date regarding Israel’s operations.
Biden emphasized the need to protect the hospital, acknowledging the growing international pressure on Israel, which its top diplomat, Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, believes will intensify within the next two to three weeks. Cohen stated that Israel aims to extend the window of legitimacy for its actions and will continue the fighting for as long as necessary.
The brutal attacks by Hamas on October 7 and the subsequent massive Israeli response have ignited worldwide protests. Demonstrations have taken place across the Middle East, Europe, and beyond. Supporters of Israel argue that the nation has a responsibility to protect its citizens following the deadliest attack in its 75-year history. Critics of Israel point to the blockade and relentless bombing campaign, which have caused immense suffering for the long-suffering civilians in Gaza. International aid agencies report hundreds of thousands of people displaced and a worsening humanitarian catastrophe.
Israel has urged Palestinians to flee to the south, away from the intense fighting in the northern region of the besieged territory. They have also agreed to daily pauses in military operations to allow fleeing civilians to pass through specified “corridors.” However, escaping the conflict zone remains perilous, with wounded Palestinians recounting being struck by strikes while attempting to move southward.
The release of hostages has become a critical condition for any potential broader ceasefire, and negotiations mediated by Qatar are underway to secure their freedom. Hamas’ military wing spokesperson, Mr. Abu Obeida, stated that a possible deal could involve releasing 100 Israeli hostages in exchange for 200 Palestinian children and 75 women held in Israeli prisons. However, Obeida expressed frustration with the perceived procrastination by the enemy in responding to this proposal.
President Biden expressed cautious optimism regarding the Qatar-mediated talks, hoping they might lead to a resolution. Meanwhile, as negotiations and security discussions continue, violence has spread to other fronts. Clashes between Israeli troops and Palestinians in the occupied West Bank have resulted in the deaths of eight Palestinians, with seven casualties occurring during an army raid on the city of Tulkarem and one near Hebron. In response to repeated attacks on US forces in the Middle East, the US launched airstrikes in eastern Syria, killing at least eight pro-Iran fighters, according to a UK-based monitoring group.
Furthermore, Israel targeted operational command centers belonging to the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah in Lebanon, using fighter jets in a Monday strike. The situation remains tense and volatile, with no immediate resolution in sight.
