What’s happening
Israeli tanks have been reported to encircle the Indonesian Hospital in northern Gaza, with reports of casualties following an overnight incident.
Why it matters
The proximity of military operations to medical facilities raises significant concerns about the safety of patients and healthcare workers, and the potential violation of international humanitarian law which protects hospitals in conflict zones.
The details
Dr. Marwan Al-Sultan, the hospital’s director, indicated that the post-operative care department was struck, and Israeli troops were positioned approximately 20 meters from the facility. The Israeli military asserts that their forces were targeting “terrorists” who fired upon them from within the hospital’s premises. The incident has drawn international condemnation, including from the head of the World Health Organization, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Broader context
This military escalation follows a major operation launched by Israel in response to a cross-border attack by Hamas on October 7. Since then, Gaza’s health ministry reports over 13,000 fatalities in the territory. The recent events underscore the ongoing tension and the complexity of conducting military operations in densely populated areas.
Humanitarian impact
Amidst the conflict, 28 premature Palestinian babies were evacuated from Gaza City’s Al-Shifa Hospital and transported to Egypt for medical treatment. The WHO is also working to evacuate additional wounded or seriously ill patients from the area.
International law considerations
Hospitals hold a protected status under international humanitarian law, necessitating all military operations to avoid harm to patients, medical staff, and civilians. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) maintain that they adhere to international law and take measures to minimize civilian harm despite the challenges posed by Hamas’s tactics.
Additional incidents
Médecins Sans Frontières reported that their clinic in Gaza City was also caught in the crossfire, with a wall destroyed and part of the building set ablaze. The IDF has not commented on this specific incident.
Looking ahead
As the conflict continues, the international community is closely monitoring the situation for further developments and potential breaches of international humanitarian law.
This story was first published on bbc.