Battles around Gaza’s largest hospital leave thousands trapped

Palestinian Territories – AFP

Thousands of people remained trapped in Gaza’s largest hospital Monday, where evacuations have been hampered by Israeli attacks.

Conditions are worsening for hundreds of patients and thousands of others sheltering around Al-Shifa hospital — which has become the focus in the five-week-old war.

The World Health Organization (WHO) and other UN agencies warned that as many as 3,000 patients and staff are sheltering inside without adequate fuel, water or food.

“Regrettably, the hospital is not functioning as a hospital anymore,” said WHO director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, after making contact with on-the-ground staff.

“It’s been three days without electricity, without water,” he said, describing the situation inside as “dire and perilous.”

Israel is facing intense international pressure to minimise civilian suffering amid a massive air and ground operation that Hamas authorities say has already killed 11,180 people, including 4,609 children.

Only a handful of trucks carrying fuel have been let into Gaza since October 7, with Israel saying fuel deliveries would be used by Hamas fighters.

– Dwindling supplies –

Inside the hospital, AFP last week witnessed the sick and injured on gurneys that packed corridor walls.

The courtyard of the emergency ward was dotted with people and piles of rubbish lay uncollected.

Some of the thousands displaced by the fighting camped at the facility using make-shift kitchens and what few supplies they had.

Almost 1.6 million people — about two-thirds of Gaza’s population — have been internally displaced since October 7, according to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees UNRWA.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ruled out calls for the ceasefire, saying Hamas must first release the estimated 240 hostages taken on October 7.

Netanyahu told US media that “there could be” a deal to free the hostages, but stopped short of providing any details.

“The less I say about it, the more I’ll increase the chances that it materialises,” he told NBC.

White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told MSNBC there has been “active negotiation” on a potential deal but kept mum on any details, while a Palestinian official in Gaza accused Israel of dragging its feet.

“Netanyahu is responsible for the delay and obstacles in reaching a preliminary agreement on the release of several prisoners,” the official told AFP on condition of anonymity.