21-11-2023 (GAZA) Israeli forces targeted the Indonesian Hospital in northern Gaza, resulting in the death of at least 12 individuals, including patients, according to the Gaza Strip’s Health Ministry run by Hamas. Dozens more were reported wounded, with approximately 700 people trapped inside the besieged medical facility, as stated by Mr Ashraf al-Qudra, the ministry’s spokesman. At the time of reporting, there was no immediate comment from Israeli authorities.
The assault on the hospital has heightened tensions in Gaza, as fears of an expanded Israeli military operation loom. The Israeli army announced its intention to extend the fight against Hamas militants to additional neighbourhoods in the Gaza Strip. The ongoing conflict, marked by aerial and ground offensives, has already claimed over 13,000 lives, including thousands of children, according to figures released by the Hamas-run government.
Aside from the maternity hospital in the N (Kamal Idwan), Indonesia Hospital is the remaining hospital in N Gaza though it’s not equipped to deal with complex surgeries. 100s remain under siege in Al Ahli and Shifa Hospitals in Gaza City. Video is from Indonesia Hospital this am pic.twitter.com/kjX9yvNhX8
— Nour Odeh ???????? #NojusticeNopeace (@nour_odeh) November 20, 2023
Established in 2016 with funding from Indonesian organizations, the targeted hospital, like many others in Gaza, has ceased operations. Meanwhile, in Rafah, near the border with Egypt, at least 14 Palestinians lost their lives in two Israeli air strikes on houses.
Amid the chaos, a group of prematurely born babies from Gaza’s largest hospital was evacuated to Egypt for urgent treatment, with more expected to follow. The dire situation in Gaza’s medical facilities has been exacerbated by power cuts, leading to a collapse in services.
The Israeli military, in a statement accompanied by video footage, claimed to have killed three Hamas company commanders and a squad of fighters during operations. The specific locations of these incidents were not disclosed.
Más de 200 palestinos heridos fueron evacuados desde el Hospital Indonesia a Khan Yunis, después de que el ejercito sionista amenazara con sus tanques al Hospital Indonesio, en el norte de la Franja de Gaza.
Uno de los palestinos heridos murió de sus heridas en el camino a Khan… pic.twitter.com/tpLxuB515T
— Daniel Mayakovski (@DaniMayakovski) November 20, 2023
As the conflict persists, there are growing hopes for a potential deal to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas in exchange for a temporary ceasefire. Around 240 hostages were taken during a cross-border rampage by Hamas militants into Israel on October 7, prompting a significant Israeli invasion of the Palestinian territory.
Israel’s Ambassador to the US, Michael Herzog, expressed optimism about the release of a substantial number of hostages in the coming days. Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani also highlighted that the main obstacles to a deal were now minor, primarily practical and logistical issues.
International negotiations, described as “very complicated” and “very sensitive,” are underway, coinciding with Israel’s preparations to expand its offensive in Gaza’s southern region. The US cautioned Israel against conducting operations in the south without considering the safety of Palestinian civilians.
Gaza’s civilian population, traumatized by the ongoing conflict, continues to face displacement and seeks refuge in hospitals or by moving from one area to another. The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, decried the “staggering and unacceptable” civilian death toll, urging an immediate humanitarian truce.
The Israeli military’s repeated bombardment of Jabalia, a densely populated area of Gaza City, has resulted in numerous civilian casualties. Despite Israel’s calls for evacuations to ensure safety, Palestinians argue that the repeated attacks render such promises absurd.
Six weeks into the conflict, Israel faces mounting international pressure to justify the high casualty count. Israeli officials presented what they claim to be evidence of Hamas gunmen using Gaza’s largest hospital, Al-Shifa, to hide hostages and tunnels. The hospital has been a focal point of concern, with the World Health Organization describing it as a “death zone.” Israel contends that the hospital and its tunnels serve as a base for Palestinian militants, a claim vehemently denied by Hamas and hospital administrators.
In an attempt to bolster its case, the Israeli military released closed-circuit television footage from October 7, showing foreign hostages being taken into the hospital. However, the search for these hostages continues, adding a layer of complexity to the already dire situation in Gaza.
