Amidst the ongoing conflict in Gaza, the director of Al-Shifa hospital, Mohammad Abu Salmiya, has been arrested by Israeli forces. This arrest has raised concerns about the safety of medical personnel and the conditions at the hospital. Al-Shifa, the largest hospital in Gaza, has been a major focus of the Israeli ground offensive following attacks by Palestinian militant group Hamas.
The Israeli army alleges that Hamas fighters used a tunnel complex beneath the hospital to stage attacks. However, both Hamas and hospital officials have vehemently denied these claims. Dr. Abu Salmiya, who has frequently spoken to international media about the conditions inside Al-Shifa, was detained along with several other senior doctors.
In response to the arrests, Hamas has called for the immediate release of Dr. Abu Salmiya and his colleagues, urging international organizations to intervene. This incident has further exacerbated the already dire situation, leading to the evacuation of the hospital. Hundreds of patients and displaced individuals have been forced to leave the facility and seek safety elsewhere in the Palestinian territory.
The evacuation, which was carried out at the request of Dr. Abu Salmiya according to the Israeli army, has posed significant challenges. The Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) joined forces with the United Nations to transfer wounded and sick individuals, as well as medical staff, to other hospitals in the south of Gaza. However, the process faced delays at the checkpoint separating northern and southern Gaza.
Israel has also made allegations that Hamas operated a command center in the tunnels beneath Al-Shifa for years. Israeli officials escorted journalists to a tunnel shaft at the hospital complex to provide evidence of their claims. Despite these assertions, the medical personnel and representatives from Al-Shifa have vehemently rejected the accusation.
The conflict in Gaza has taken a toll on the hospital and its staff. Al-Shifa has been targeted by Israeli forces as part of their mission to combat militants in the Gaza Strip. The Hamas-run government reports a devastating loss of lives, with over 14,000 people killed, the majority being women and children. This incident highlights the challenges faced by medical professionals in conflict zones and the urgent need for international support and intervention.
The director of Gaza’s Al-Shifa hospital, Mohammad Abu Salmiya, along with several other medical personnel, has been arrested by Israeli forces. The hospital has been a major focus of an Israeli offensive following attacks by Hamas. The Israeli army alleges that Hamas fighters used a tunnel complex beneath the hospital for staging attacks, but Hamas and hospital officials deny these claims.
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