Palestinians fleeing an Israeli raid on Gaza’s main hospital described mass arrests and forced marches past bodies as Israel blocks aid to northern Gaza. Israel claims to have killed over 170 militants and detained 480 suspects in the raid on Shifa Hospital, calling it a blow to Hamas. The fighting highlights the resilience of Palestinian armed groups in a heavily destroyed part of Gaza, where Israeli troops have returned after a similar raid earlier in the war. The isolated area suffered widespread devastation in the early days of Israel’s offensive launched after a Hamas attack triggered the war.
Residents living near the hospital were forced to strip to their underwear, blindfolded, and ordered to follow tanks as explosions thundered around them. Aid delivery to northern Gaza and Gaza City, where Shifa Hospital is located, has been severely limited, leading to fears of famine. Israel has informed the UN agency for Palestinian refugees that it will no longer approve food convoys to northern Gaza, prompting outrage over the obstruction of life-saving assistance. The World Health Organization described conditions in northern Gaza as “utterly inhumane,” with people suffering from catastrophic hunger.
Israeli forces stormed the hospital courtyard, crushing ambulances and vehicles, while civilians were forced to flee the area. Tanks drove over bodies of people killed in the raid, as the military claimed to have evacuated patients and set up an alternative site for seriously wounded patients. Operations in other hospitals in Khan Younis were also reported amid intense shelling, with accusations of Hamas using hospitals as shields. The war has taken a heavy toll on Gaza’s population, with thousands displaced and civilian casualties mounting, including children and women.
Israel has faced criticism for civilian casualties, with over 32,000 Palestinians killed in the war according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. The ongoing violence has led to further deaths, including children and family members killed in airstrikes. Israel attributes civilian casualties to Hamas, accusing them of embedding in residential areas. The conflict shows no signs of abating, with calls for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and an end to the collective punishment of Palestinians. The international community, including the United States, Qatar, and Egypt, are working to broker a cease-fire and secure the release of hostages held by Hamas.
As the conflict continues, Jews celebrate Purim across the border, a holiday commemorating the survival of the Jewish people from a plot to exterminate them in Persia. Israeli leaders are determined to defeat Hamas and maintain critical ties with their allies, like the United States. However, the ongoing violence and humanitarian crisis in Gaza highlight the urgent need for a resolution to the conflict to prevent further suffering and loss of life. The situation in Gaza remains dire, with residents facing hunger, displacement, and ongoing attacks, while the international community works towards a peaceful resolution.
