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Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip — On Tuesday, an Israeli airstrike struck the northern entrance of a field hospital in the Gaza Strip, resulting in the death of a medic and injuring ten others, as reported by the hospital’s director. This incident at the Kuwaiti Field Hospital in the Muwasi area marks the second attack on a healthcare facility in Gaza within three days, following a previous airstrike on Sunday that rendered the enclave’s last major hospital providing essential services “out of service,” according to the United Nations.
Israel’s military operations in Gaza have persisted for nearly a month, beginning after a ceasefire negotiated by the U.S., Egypt, and Qatar broke down. Attempts to establish a new ceasefire have not yielded visible progress. However, Hamas has indicated that it is contemplating a new proposal from Israel issued this week.
Reports from multiple news agencies allege that Hamas officials revealed Israel’s offer of a 45-day pause in hostilities in exchange for the release of hostages. Nonetheless, Hamas representatives have reiterated that a ceasefire is contingent upon Israel’s commitment to cease its military actions and withdraw forces from Gaza. They have also reported that Israel’s proposition included a demand for disarmament, which one representative stated is non-negotiable.
As of Tuesday afternoon, the Israeli government had not verified the new proposal conveyed to Hamas.
Spokesperson Saber Mohammed confirmed that the hundreds of thousands of Palestinians seeking refuge around the Kuwaiti Field Hospital included injured patients and medical staff, with two individuals listed in critical condition following the recent airstrike.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) did not provide immediate commentary regarding the strike. Historically, the IDF has targeted hospitals, asserting that Hamas utilizes these facilities for military purposes. In contrast, Hamas and local healthcare workers have denied these claims, alleging that such actions by Israel jeopardize civilian lives and destroy the already fragile health infrastructure in the region.
On Sunday, an airstrike targeting the Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City occurred after an evacuation order was issued. The United Nations reported that a child with head injuries died while being transferred, and the attack caused significant damage to vital service areas, including the emergency room and pharmacy.
Director-General of the World Health Program, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, emphasized on social media that hospitals are protected under international humanitarian law and called for a cessation of attacks on healthcare facilities. He further insisted that the protection of patients, healthcare workers, and health infrastructure must be prioritized, and the blockade on aid should be lifted.
Echoing these concerns, a spokesperson for U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres stated that under international humanitarian law, medical facilities, personnel, and patients require respect and protection.
The Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, which administers the Al-Ahli Hospital, also condemned the strike. Israel contended that the attack targeted a Hamas command center within the hospital, although it has not provided supporting evidence for this claim, which Hamas denies.
According to an updated casualty report from the Gaza Ministry of Health, Israel’s retaliatory campaign has resulted in over 51,000 deaths, including more than 1,600 fatalities reported since the ceasefire ended last month. While the ministry’s figures are generally viewed as reliable by U.N. officials and independent experts, Israel contests these statistics, asserting it has killed approximately 20,000 militants without disclosing evidence.
The ministry does not differentiate between civilian and combatant deaths but notes that women and children represent over half of those killed. The offensive has resulted in extensive destruction across the territory and displaced around 90% of Gaza’s approximately 2 million residents.
The current conflict ignited following a Hamas-led attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which tragically claimed around 1,200 lives, primarily among civilians, and resulted in the abduction of 251 individuals taken into Gaza. Israeli authorities report that 59 hostages remain in Gaza, with 24 of them believed to still be alive, after the majority were released through various ceasefire agreements.
Crisis in the Middle East
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