Gaza authorities reported that Israel initiated airstrikes in the vicinity of at least three hospitals on Friday, further imperiling a healthcare system inundated with numerous casualties and displaced individuals due to Israel's severe offensive in the Palestinian enclave.
According to Palestinian officials, as of Thursday, 10,812 Gaza residents, with approximately 40% being children, have lost their lives in air and artillery strikes. A dire humanitarian crisis has unfolded as essential resources such as food and water become scarce, compounded by civilian displacement from their residences due to shelling.
Ashraf Al-Qidra, spokesperson for the Gaza Ministry of Health, conveyed to Al Jazeera television, "The Israeli occupation carried out simultaneous strikes on several hospitals in the past hours."
Qidra reported that Israel aimed at the courtyard of Al Shifa, Gaza City's largest hospital, resulting in casualties, although he did not furnish details.
The Israeli military did not promptly respond to Qidra's remarks.
The Israeli military campaign, now a month old, has strained Gaza's hospitals as essential resources like medical supplies, clean water, and generator fuel dwindle.
Gaza's health ministry indicated that 18 of the 35 hospitals and 40 other health centers are non-operational due to either bombardment damage or fuel shortages.
On Friday, Palestinian media released footage from Al Shifa, portraying the aftermath of an Israeli assault on a parking lot where displaced Palestinians sought refuge. The distressing scene included a pool of blood near a man placed on a stretcher.
Expressing concern about the well-being of civilians, particularly children, amidst ongoing strikes near Al Shifa, Human Rights Watch conveyed its apprehensions on social media.
Qidra disclosed that Al-Rantisi Pediatric Hospital and Al-Nasr Children's Hospital experienced direct attacks on Friday, with strikes at Al-Rantisi igniting vehicles, although some fires were partially extinguished.
Indonesia's foreign ministry reported overnight explosions near the Indonesian Hospital, causing damage at the northern end of the coastal enclave. The ministry did not attribute responsibility for the explosion and reported no casualties.
In a statement, Indonesia's foreign ministry condemned the ruthless attacks on civilians, especially humanitarian facilities in Gaza.
