Thirty-one premature babies have been evacuated from a hospital in the Gaza Strip, where heavy fighting is occurring between Israeli forces and the militant group Hamas, health authorities said.
In a news release on Sunday, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that the infants were evacuated from Al Shifa Hospital in northern Gaza to another hospital in the southern Gaza Strip. Israeli forces entered the hospital to search for suspected Hamas activity, a claim denied by Hamas and hospital officials.
All the infants were transported in six ambulances provided and staffed by the Palestinian Red Crescent Society, the health agency said.
“These preterm and low birth weight babies were previously transferred from Al Shifa’s neonatal ward to safer areas within the hospital due to lack of electricity to run life support machines and safety risks within the hospital. “He had been transferred,” the WHO said. The release noted that two infants died the day before the evacuation took place.
Health officials also said the evacuations requested by medical workers and patients at the hospital were made necessary as the hospital was unable to function due to “lack of clean water, fuel, medicine, food and other essentials.” and a fierce rivalry. ”
WHO also expressed concern about the safety and health needs of the remaining patients and employees at Al Shifa Hospital, noting that 250 patients and 20 employees have requested immediate evacuation.
“WHO reiterates its call for collective efforts to end hostilities and humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza,” the health agency said.
“We are committed to an immediate ceasefire, a sustained flow of large-scale humanitarian assistance, unimpeded humanitarian access to all in need, and the safety of all hostages, many of whom have serious medical needs. “We call for the release of conditions and an end to attacks on health care and other critical infrastructure.” ”
One month has passed since Hamas’s surprise attack on Israel killed 1,200 people and took the remaining 240 hostages in Gaza.
In response, Israel launched a series of air strikes and ground incursions in the Gaza Strip, resulting in the deaths of more than 13,000 Palestinians. according to The Gaza Ministry of Health is run by Hamas.
Copyright 2023 Nexstar Media Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
