Gaza's largest hospital runs out of fuel, operations suspended
The largest hospital in Gaza has run out of fuel, forcing it to suspend operations. A baby died in an incubator at Al-Shifa Hospital after the facility lost power, while another person was killed in intensive care by an Israeli shell. Just days ago, Al-Quds Hospital shut down "most operations" due to fuel shortages. Since October 7, nearly 25 hospitals have been closed.
Why does this story matter?
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas is exploiting medical institutions as command centers, with its main operations base located in an underground facility beneath Al-Shifa Hospital. Hamas, health officials, and Shifa administrators have all denied that the group is hiding military infrastructure within or beneath the facility and have stated that they would welcome an international inspection.
39 premature babies threatened with death: Palestinian Health Ministry
Thirty-nine more babies are at risk of dying if the hospital does not resume operations, the Palestinian Health Ministry said. "39 premature babies in Al-Shifa Medical Complex are threatened with death at any moment. Failure to bring fuel...will be a death sentence for the rest. The incubators will only be able to work until this evening," Palestinian Health Minister Mai Al-Kaila said.
Hospitals need to be evacuated to deal with Hamas: Israel
While Israel has yet to comment on the situation at Al-Shifa Hospital, it previously stated that hospitals must be evacuated to deal with Hamas. "We intend on dealing with Hamas, who have turned hospitals into fortified positions," it responded when asked if it would invade hospitals. Israel has shown no intentions of a ceasefire in Gaza, reiterating that "a ceasefire with Hamas means surrender."
Israeli forces encircled Al-Shifa Hospital on Saturday morning
Israeli forces had surrounded Al-Shifa Hospital as of Saturday morning, preventing ambulances from entering or leaving the facility, Al Jazeera reported. World Health Organization (WHO) chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus corroborated the claims on X, writing that he was "extremely disturbed" by the situation. Ghebreyesus also told the United Nations Security Council that, on average, a child is killed every 10 minutes in Gaza.
Thousands sheltering at the hospital forced to evacuate: Ghebreyesus
Israel must stop killing babies, women: Macron
With international pressure mounting for a ceasefire in Gaza, Israel agreed on Thursday to a four-hour daily humanitarian pause in its offensive against Hamas in northern Gaza. It agreed to daily "tactical, localized pauses" to allow aid to be distributed and civilians to be evacuated. Meanwhile, French President Emmanuel Macron, in an interview with the BBC, said Israel must stop killing babies and women.
Gaza death count climbs to 11,078
In the five-week conflict between Hamas and Israel, over 11,078 Palestinians have been killed. Of the total, 4,506 are children, the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said. Hamas terrorists launched a surprise attack on Israel on October 7, infiltrating the country via air, sea, and land, killing nearly 1,400 Israelis. The attack on Israel is the worst since the Yom Kippur War in 1973.
