On Sunday, a tragic incident unfolded at the Al-Aqsa medical complex in central Gaza, where an Israeli drone strike resulted in the deaths of at least two individuals. The strike targeted tents outside the medical facility, where thousands of displaced people have sought shelter. Among them are several journalist teams who have set up tents in the area.
Al-Aqsa medical complex stands as the sole operational medical facility in the central city of Deir al-Balah, making it a critical lifeline for the local population. The aftermath of the drone strike was captured in videos shared by journalists, depicting scenes of panic as people scrambled for cover and rushed to assist the injured.
The Israeli military has asserted that the drone strike was aimed at an 'operational Islamic Jihad command center and terrorists' located within the hospital's courtyard. However, no concrete evidence has been provided to substantiate this claim.
Meanwhile, in the northern region, Al-Shifa Hospital, Gaza's largest medical facility, has been under siege for 14 days. Israeli forces allege that over 200 militants have been eliminated at the hospital, while reports from Palestinians inside and around Al-Shifa paint a grim picture of civilian casualties, arrests, and extensive destruction.
According to the health ministry in Gaza, the situation at Al-Shifa Hospital is dire, with Israel allegedly obstructing the evacuation of patients and medical staff. This has left them trapped without access to essential resources, exacerbating an already critical humanitarian crisis in the region.
