Thousands of people took refuge in al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City as it was considered a relatively safe place. But on Friday morning, the area was subjected to bombings, and during Saturday ground battles are taking place around the hospital, which is the largest in the Gaza Strip.
At the same time as the hospital is surrounded by Israeli military, the fuel for the hospital’s reserve unit has run out and the communication network is also down.
– The situation is catastrophic and the suffering must end, says Samah Hadid of the aid organization Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC).
She is responsible for the organization’s advocacy work in the Middle East and is based in Jordan. But NRC has employees on the ground in Gaza with whom she can sometimes communicate via phone and SMS.
– The lines of communication have been consistently cut.
“Babies have died”
Samah Hadid explains that healthcare facilities that help the sick and injured have special protection under international humanitarian law.
– These functions must be protected under all circumstances.
There have been reports that premature babies in incubators are in danger as a result of the power outage.
– Some of these babies have sadly died, says Samah Hadid, adding that a truce is needed to end the suffering.
A month without electricity
Following the Hamas attack on October 7, Israel cut off electricity to the Gaza Strip as part of the total blockade. Now the fuel is running out completely.
– Therefore, it is critical that all border crossings to Gaza are opened, says Samah Hadid and continues:
– We really call on the international community and world leaders to raise their voices and stop the suffering.
From the Israeli side, it has been claimed that Hamas has its main command center under the al-Shifa hospital and that hospitals are not seen as targets. During Saturday evening, an IDF spokesperson said that the military will assist the evacuation of children.