Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City's Tel al-Hawa neighborhood received dozens of bodies on Friday morning, as civil defense workers continued to retrieve the dead from the rubble of destroyed streets and buildings. Hospital director Fadel Naem confirmed that both deceased and wounded individuals were brought to the hospital from Tel al-Hawa, which had recently resumed operations after a temporary evacuation due to ongoing conflict in the area.
According to Mahmoud Basal, the director of Civil Defense in Gaza, approximately 60 bodies, including entire families, have been recovered in Tel al-Hawa. The victims appeared to have been killed by artillery fire and aerial bombardment. Basal mentioned that some bodies were found decomposing or partially mauled by dogs, as rescue efforts faced challenges in reaching certain homes.
The situation in Tel al-Hawa mirrors that of Shuja’iyyah, another Gaza City neighborhood where additional bodies were discovered under similar circumstances. The United Nations estimates that around 300,000 Palestinians remain in northern Gaza, despite evacuation orders, leading to overcrowded tent camps and widespread hunger among the population.
Israel initiated the conflict in Gaza following an attack by Hamas militants, resulting in a significant number of casualties on both sides. Efforts to negotiate a cease-fire and secure the release of hostages are ongoing in Cairo, with mediators working to bridge the gap between Israel and Hamas.
While there is progress in the negotiations, obstacles persist as Hamas insists on a permanent cease-fire before agreeing to any deal, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu maintains that the military campaign will continue until Hamas is eliminated. The situation has put pressure on Netanyahu domestically and internationally, with calls for a resolution to the conflict mounting.
Amidst the conflict, regional tensions remain high, with Israel reporting the death of a soldier in combat in northern Israel and ongoing exchanges of fire with the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. President Joe Biden expressed disappointment with the situation and highlighted the potential for a cease-fire agreement between Israel and Hamas, signaling a glimmer of hope for a resolution to the conflict.
