Hospital in Gaza Destroyed by Israeli Airstrike, With Over 500 Casualties
Israeli airstrikes on Tuesday resulted in devastating damage to a school and a hospital in Gaza, intensifying concerns over the ongoing scarcity of food, fuel, and electricity for the isolated population, CNN reported.
This tragic incident occurred just hours before US President Joe Biden’s scheduled visit to Israel.
The Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza bore the brunt of the strike, with the Palestinian Health Ministry estimating a death toll of over 500. They also noted the presence of numerous individuals trapped under the rubble of the hospital.
Photographs from Al-Ahli Hospital depicted flames engulfing the hospital’s corridors, shattered glass, and scattered body parts throughout the vicinity.
Amidst the ongoing crisis, several hospitals in Gaza City have transformed into sanctuaries for hundreds of people, seeking refuge from the threat of bombardment, as Israel had previously instructed all residents of the city and its surrounding areas to evacuate to the southern Gaza Strip.
As of October 17, 2023, the Gaza Health Ministry reported that 2,750 Palestinians have lost their lives, with 9,700 wounded in the ongoing conflict. The Israeli Public Broadcasting Corporation (KAN) stated that at least 1,300 Israelis have died, and over 3,300 have been injured in the current conflict.
Over 400,000 displaced individuals in the south sought shelter in UNRWA’s schools and other facilities. However, the agency was unable to provide them with supplies. UNRWA disclosed having just 1 litre of water per day for each of its staff members trapped in the territory.
“Gaza is running out of water, and Gaza is running out of life,” implored UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini, urging the lifting of the siege. “We need this now.”
