MSF loses contact with staffers in Gaza's al-Shifa Hospital

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Doctors Without Borders
11 Nov 2023 11:17
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Israeli bombing of al-Shifa Medical Complex has intensified, as medical staff, patients, and refugees are blockaded within its walls.

An injured Palestinian man receives treatment at the al-Shifa Hospital, following Israeli airstrikes on Gaza City, central Gaza Strip, November 5, 2023. (AP)

Attacks on al-Shifa Hospital have "dramatically intensified" over the last few hours, Doctors Without Borders (MSF) stated in a thread posted on X.

MSF warned that its staff at the hospital have reported a "catastrophic situation" inside the al-Shifa Hospital, located near Gaza City's coast.

The humanitarian medical organization said that contact with its staff in the hospital has been cut, expressing extreme concern "about the safety of patients" and "medical staff".

Patients are stuck inside the hospital, some in critical condition and "unable to move," MSF pointed out.

"There is a patient who needs surgery. There is a patient who's already asleep in our department. We cannot evacuate ourselves and [leave] these people inside. As a doctor. I swear to help the people who need help," MSF Surgeon in al-Shifa Dr. Mohammed Obeid said as quoted by MSF.

The organization "urgently" reiterated its calls "to stop the [Israeli] attacks against the hospitals and for the protection of medical facilities, medical staff, and patients."

This morning, Gaza's Health Ministry spokesperson said operations were suspended at al-Shifa after it ran out of fuel completely.

IOF directly targets al-Shifa Hospital

Al-Shifa Hospital has come under the direct fire of Israeli air and artillery strikes, as official reports indicate that the 13 Palestinians were martyred, and dozens of others were wounded after occupation forces targeted the complex.

Israeli occupation forces have also heavily targeted the vicinity of the hospital, and restricted the movement of patients, medical staff, and Gazans who have taken refuge in al-Shifa.

Al Mayadeen's sources revealed that ambulances cannot exit the hospital, as occupation drones flying overhead are opening fire at anyone moving in the area. The Director of the medical complex said that medical staff will not abandon patients in the hospital, "no matter the cost."

Describing the crisis faced by hospitals due to the blockade, he said that the situation was "tragic in every sense of the word," emphasizing that medical teams are unable to perform surgical operations.

He stressed that the displaced individuals within the hospital premises remain without food or water, emphasizing that the international community "has not provided us with a single drop of water or even a liter of fuel, and we are in a real crisis."

The blatant genocide and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians has not only taken the lives of over 11,000 people, but it has also targeted cultural sites and symbols. This ongoing violence serves as a distressing continuation of the devastating effects of the 1948 Nakba.

HRW finds no evidence of Resistance infrastructure in al-Shifa

Previously the Israeli occupation published simulated footage, claiming that al-Shifa was being used by the Resistance as a base for military operations. "Israel" has used this as a pretext to illegally attack the hospital.

However, Human Rights Watch and other organizations said they could not corroborate these claims.

"The Israeli military claims that Hamas has its headquarters underneath al-Shifa hospital and that Hamas military officials are inside the hospital. HRW cannot corroborate this allegation," HRW posted on X late on Thursday.

Moreover, a hundred Israeli doctors signed a petition calling for the destruction of al-Shifa Hospital in the Gaza Strip. The petition, titled "Doctors for the rights of [Israeli] soldiers," calls for the bombing of a Palestinian hospital housing thousands of refugees.