40 patients killed in al-Shifa Hospital due to Israeli siege: Minister

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
17 Nov 2023 13:39
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Among the martyrs were three premature babies, who have been killed in al-Shifa due to the power cut-off from "Israel's" imposition of a blockade on the Strip.

Medics and patients pictured at al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City on November 10, 2023. (AFP)

Palestinian Health Minister Mai al-Kaila, disclosed that as many as 40 Palestinian patients, including three premature babies, have died in al-Shifa Hospital Complex in the Gaza Strip. The deaths were attributed to the power cut-off from fuel depletion, resulting from the Israeli invading forces' siege on the Complex and constant targeting of the hospital.

"Since November 11 and the start of the siege of the hospital by the Israeli military, as many as 40 people have died, including three newborn children, as a result of the siege and the lack of fuel for electricity. Our medical staff are there without water and food supplies," al-Kaila said.

Innocent, sad eyes searching in every corner for the safety they need..
A little girl from Gaza has lost her father, mother, and brother, and she searches for them throughout the hospital..
Humanity was cold-bloodedly murdered on the thresholds of Gaza..#AlShifa_Hospital pic.twitter.com/hdgPwxcwlM
— rawan hazem (@rawanhazem8383) November 17, 2023

Al-Shifa Hospital, which accommodates thousands of people seeking shelter from Israeli strikes along with patients, is the sole functioning hospital in the northern Gaza Strip, the minister emphasized.

Only in Gaza: A hospital is besieged

On Thursday, Al Mayadeen's correspondent reported that the occupation's tanks have renewed their efforts to storm al-Shifa Medical Complex from the southern side.

Our correspondent confirmed that the occupation forces bulldozed the areas in the vicinity of the maternity section at the Hospital, adding that IOF tanks were opening fire on anyone attempting to leave. He also added that the IOF detained a number of medical workers and technical staff at the hospital.

On another note, the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza reported that the IOF had demolished several medical departments during their raid on Al-Shifa.

The ministry specified that the IOF demolished the radiology department and detonated explosives in the burn and nephrology departments.

In a statement, the Director General of Al-Shifa Medical Complex, Muhammad Abu Salmiya said. Dr. Abu Salmiya said that the departments of maternity, emergency, and surgery were also targeted, among others.

He also told reporters that the hospital had completely run out of food, water, and electricity, noting that the IOF bombed the hospital's main water pipe.

Although the oxygen reserves have been depleted, Abu Salmiya stated that hospital staff have chosen to stay in the building, refusing to evacuate without the patients.