The Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, which was once a vital hub for healthcare in Gaza, now lies in ruins after being destroyed during a 12-day battle between Israeli soldiers and Gazan gunmen. The hospital, which was the largest in Gaza, provided shelter for thousands of Gazans during wars and was a lifeline for Palestinians in need of medical care. The hospital now stands disfigured almost beyond recognition, with most of its buildings destroyed, equipment buried under debris, and trees uprooted by Israeli armored vehicles.
Israeli soldiers who led a visit to the hospital claim that the destruction is the result of Hamas using the hospital as a military base, leaving Israel with no option but to enter by force. They assert that Hamas turned a civilian institution into a military stronghold, making it necessary for the Israeli military to take drastic action. However, to Palestinians returning to Al-Shifa, the destruction represents Israel’s disregard for civilian life and infrastructure in its pursuit of Hamas. They believe that the hospital’s destruction is part of a larger pattern of Israeli aggression against Gazans.
Israel’s return to Al-Shifa after withdrawing in January has been described as a strategic failure, as it has allowed Hamas to regroup and potentially return to the hospital once again. The raid on the hospital resulted in the deaths of about 200 fighters and the capture of 500 more, according to Israeli soldiers, although their claims have been disputed by Gazan officials. The soldiers’ departure raises the possibility of Hamas returning to the hospital unimpeded, increasing the likelihood of further military action by Israel in the future.
The destruction of Al-Shifa and the ensuing conflict between Israeli forces and Gazan gunmen have led to accusations of mistreatment of patients and medical staff. Palestinian medics have reported horrific conditions at the hospital, with patients lacking essential supplies like medicine, food, water, and sanitation. Reports have emerged of patients with septic wounds containing maggots, highlighting the dire humanitarian situation at the hospital. Despite conflicting narratives from Israeli and Palestinian officials, the destruction of Al-Shifa has left a devastating impact on the healthcare system in Gaza and the lives of those who relied on the hospital.
The raid on Al-Shifa began in March when Israeli forces entered the hospital compound and engaged in gunfights with Hamas gunmen. The Israeli military claimed that Hamas fighters had entrenched themselves inside the hospital, leading to extensive damage to the emergency and surgery departments. Israel displayed documents found at the site that purported to document a meeting of Hamas militants inside the hospital, although the authenticity of the documents could not be verified. The military also said that fighting was compounded by armed groups located outside the compound who fired at Israeli soldiers.
As the destruction of Al-Shifa represents a significant loss for both Palestinians and Israelis, the conflict surrounding the hospital continues to fuel animosity and deepen the divide between the two sides. The Al-Shifa Hospital, which was once a beacon of hope and healing, now stands as a stark reminder of the ongoing conflict in Gaza and the toll it takes on innocent civilians caught in the crossfire. The future of the hospital remains uncertain, with the possibility of further raids and violence looming over its ruins.
