Israeli withdraws from Al-Shifa hospital after devastating siege

Israeli military forces pull out of Gaza’s largest medical complex, Al-Shifa, following a 14-day siege, leaving the medical facility in ruins and causing a spiraling death toll

Israeli military forces have withdrawn from Gaza’s largest medical complex, Al-Shifa, after a 14-day siege that witnesses and Gazan authorities say left the medical facility largely destroyed.

The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza announced on Monday that Israeli tanks and vehicles had pulled out from the complex housing the besieged territory’s main hospital, Al-Shifa.

According to eyewitnesses, dozens of airstrikes and shells targeted the area around the complex during the siege.

Israeli assault leaves Gaza’s Al-Shifa hospital in ruins

Eyewitness accounts suggest that Israeli forces set fire to multiple buildings within the hospital, resulting in a complete cessation of services. The specialized surgery building was destroyed, along with the main reception and emergency building.

Palestinian medical sources have confirmed that the hospital is now completely out of service, with all medical equipment, operation rooms, and intensive care units destroyed.

Witnesses also reported discovering numerous bodies within the hospital and surrounding streets. Additionally, Israeli forces are said to have burned and destroyed many homes and residential buildings in the vicinity.

The Israeli military launched its operation on March 18, claiming to target Hamas militants allegedly operating from the complex. The military has previously reported the deaths of 200 militants in and around Al-Shifa.

Hamas, however, has denied operating from Al-Shifa and other health facilities.

Israeli forces reportedly killed over 400 Palestinians and razed 1,050 homes in a 13-day raid on Gaza’s Al-Shifa medical complex, as per the government media office’s report. Allegations include detainment and torture of patients and health care workers. Around 107 patients and 60 staff face dire conditions lacking essentials.

The spiraling death toll continues to rise, with the Gaza health ministry reporting at least 32,782 fatalities, predominantly women and children, due to Israel’s retaliatory campaign.

Israel was accused of obstructing evacuations, prompting the Gaza government to blame the U.S. and international community for “genocide.”

The Israeli military announced on Monday that 600 Israeli soldiers have been killed since the start of the war. 

Despite a U.N. Security Council resolution on March 25 demanding an “immediate cease-fire” and the release of all hostages held by militants, fighting persists, including in or around hospitals.

World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus reported an Israeli airstrike on Sunday hitting “a tent camp” inside the Al-Aqsa hospital compound in central Gaza, resulting in four deaths and 17 injuries.

Israel’s military denied damaging the hospital, stating that one of its planes had targeted “an operational Islamic Jihad command center and terrorists positioned in the courtyard of the Al-Aqsa Medical Complex in the area of Deir al Balah.”

Source: Newsroom

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