During the ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip, a near-total blackout of internet services has been reported by monitoring website NetBlocks. This loss of connectivity adds to the already dire situation in the area, where healthcare facilities are struggling to function amidst heavy destruction and casualties.
According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, Israeli attacks have claimed the lives of an alarming number of people, with a reported death toll of 24,000 since the beginning of the war. The AP, on the other hand, confirmed that by early December, Israel acknowledged the death toll in the first few days of that month alone to be at least 15,000. These figures are staggering and underscore the devastating impact this conflict has had on the people of Gaza.
The destruction of hospitals in Gaza has been a major concern. Out of the 22 hospitals in the northern part of the territory, 20 have suffered significant damage or have been completely destroyed between October 7th and December 7th. It is alleged that over half of these hospitals were directly targeted by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF). The IDF has claimed that many of these hospitals were being used by Hamas as command centers, an accusation that Hamas denies.
The Qatari hospital, previously known as al-Ahly, has been identified as one of the targeted medical facilities. While evidence suggests that a misfired rocket from Gaza caused a deadly blast at this particular hospital, other instances indicate that the attacks were deliberate. Al-Quds, the second largest hospital in Gaza, provides a clear example of the destruction caused by weeks of Israeli attacks in its proximity. The IDF released footage of a strike conducted just 100 meters from the hospital entrance, claiming to target a Hamas weapons depot. However, the hospital suffered severe damage, and civilian casualties were reported.
Similarly, Al-Shifa hospital, one of the largest medical facilities in Gaza, became a shelter for displaced civilians seeking refuge from aerial attacks. Despite IDF claims that they did not attack Al-Shifa, evidence such as remnants of Israeli illumination shells and tank missile fragments tell a different story. Additionally, when Israeli forces entered the hospital, they found little evidence to support the claim that Hamas was operating within its facilities. Nevertheless, civilians were forced to bury their loved ones within the hospital grounds due to the ongoing siege.
The IDF maintains that they did not target hospitals but emphasized that when hospitals are used for military purposes, they lose their protected status under international humanitarian law. However, the evidence presented challenges this assertion, highlighting the immense human cost and destruction caused by the conflict.
The first two months of this war have proven to be some of the deadliest and most destructive in recent history. The question lingers as to whether any military objective can justify the loss of life and devastation witnessed in the Gaza Strip. These ongoing reports demand attention and a serious consideration of the consequences of armed conflict on innocent civilians.
