1 year ago
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NEW DELHI: Israel has acknowledged its involvement in an attack on an ambulance outside Gaza City's
Al-Shifa
Hospital, the largest medical facility in the area. Witnesses report that the incident resulted in casualties, with numerous people being killed and injured, reported CNN.
According to the Hamas-run health authorities, at least 15 people were reported killed and 50 others wounded in the incident.
Footage from the scene depicted numerous bloodied casualties scattered near an ambulance, and there were visible signs of shrapnel damage to at least one of the cars on the scene.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement that they targeted the ambulance because it was allegedly being used by a Hamas terrorist cell near their position in the battle zone.
The statement read as, “A number of Hamas terrorist operatives were killed in the strike. We have information which demonstrates that Hamas’ method of operation is to transfer terror operatives and weapons in ambulances.”
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres reiterated his appeal for a ceasefire in Gaza following the ambulance strike, despite Israel's rejection of such calls. In a statement, Guterres said, “I am horrified by the reported attack in Gaza on an ambulance convoy outside Al Shifa hospital. The images of bodies strewn on the street outside the hospital are harrowing,” he said, adding: “I do not forget the terror attacks committed in Israel by Hamas and the killing, maiming and abductions, including of women and children. All hostages held in Gaza must be released immediately and unconditionally.”
Guterres also highlighted the month-long suffering of Gaza's civilian population, particularly children and women, who have faced a siege, lack of aid, casualties, and displacement from their homes, and called for an end to these hardships.
A spokesperson for the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza, present at Al-Shifa Hospital, blamed the attack on Israel.
The
Palestine Red Crescent Society
(PRCS) confirmed that one of its ambulances was part of the convoy but thankfully none of its team members sustained injuries in the strike. However, the ambulance suffered damage when a shell landed nearby, according to PRCS. The organization further reported that, upon reaching the gate of Al-Shifa Hospital, the gate itself came under attack once more. They added that a separate Ministry of Health ambulance was directly hit, resulting in numerous casualties among the civilians in the vicinity.
Dr. Ashraf Al-Qidra said that the authorities had organized the medical convoy departing from the hospital and had notified the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) about this undertaking.
He explained that the convoy was en-route to the Rafah Crossing, a vital escape route for Gazans amidst the ongoing bombardment along the strip. Al-Qidra said that the Israeli occupation forces deliberately targeted the ambulances in various locations, including at the entrance of the Al-Shifa medical compound.
The ICRC verified to CNN that it had received a request to accompany the convoy before its departure. However, it clarified in a subsequent statement that it was not directly involved in the convoy. Despite this, the ICRC emphasized that any act of violence against medical personnel is unacceptable, underscoring that medical professionals should never be subjected to harm while dedicated to saving lives.
“No doctors, nurses, or any medical professionals should ever die while working to save lives”, said the ICRC.
The Israeli claim that Al-Shifa Hospital is a significant Hamas command and control center has been rejected by Palestinians and Hamas. The Director General of the Gaza Health Ministry, Dr Medhat Abbas, told CNN that Gaza's hospitals are solely used for patient care and not for hiding anyone. Hamas has also denied the claim and has called for international intervention to halt the bombing and destruction of the medical system.
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