Israel has faced severe criticism for its attacks on the healthcare system in Gaza, with multiple hospitals being targeted and destroyed since October 2023. The latest attack on al-Ahli Arab Hospital in northern Gaza has left critically ill patients without access to medical care, as the last functioning hospital in the area has become nonoperational.
The Israeli air raid on the hospital, which occurred early on Sunday, was allegedly targeting a Hamas “command and control complex,” according to the Israeli army and the Shin Bet agency. This attack is just one in a series of incidents where healthcare facilities, medical personnel, and patients have been targeted, violating the 1949 Geneva Convention, which considers such actions as war crimes.
Some of the major attacks on healthcare in Gaza since October 2023 include the bombing of al-Ahli Hospital’s car park, the destruction of an ambulance convoy outside al-Shifa Hospital, and the killings of medical staff at al-Awda Hospital. In March 2024, the Israeli military launched a raid on al-Shifa Hospital, resulting in the deaths of 90 people, including medical staff and displaced Palestinians seeking shelter.
The repeated attacks on hospitals in Gaza have led to the deaths and injuries of many civilians, exacerbating the already dire humanitarian situation in the besieged territory. International organizations and human rights groups have condemned Israel’s actions, calling for accountability and justice for the victims of the attacks on Gaza’s healthcare system.
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