Heavy fighting in Gaza’s second-largest city leaves hundreds of patients stranded in main hospital
Israeli forces clashed with Palestinian militants near the main hospital in Khan Younis, Gaza’s second-largest city, on Wednesday. As a result, hundreds of patients and thousands of displaced people in the hospital were unable to leave due to the ongoing fighting.
Israel has instructed residents to evacuate several areas of downtown Khan Younis, including Nasser Hospital and two smaller hospitals, as part of their offensive against Hamas. The United Nations humanitarian office reported that this area is home to 88,000 Palestinians and is currently providing refuge to an additional 425,000 people displaced from other conflict zones.
Doctors Without Borders, an aid group, stated that its staff and 850 patients, along with thousands of displaced individuals, were trapped inside Nasser Hospital because the roads leading to the facility were either inaccessible or deemed too dangerous. Nasser Hospital is one of only two hospitals in southern Gaza capable of providing critical care. Gaza’s Health Ministry also confirmed that the hospital has been isolated.
The Israeli military reported that its forces were engaged in battles with militants within Khan Younis following the completion of the city’s encirclement the previous day. They noted that airstrikes were being carried out in the area as part of the operation, along with targeting suspected militants in central and northern Gaza.
Amidst the fighting, thousands of people have fled south from Khan Younis towards the town of Rafah. According to the UN, around 1.5 million people, equivalent to two-thirds of Gaza’s population, are currently crowded into shelters and tent camps in and around Rafah, which is located on the border with Egypt. However, even there, safety is elusive, as Israel continues to launch strikes in and around the town. Witnesses stated that Israeli soldiers and tanks had recently entered parts of Muwasi, an area declared a safe zone by Israel, where tens of thousands of people were residing in tents without basic necessities.
The UN refugee agency estimates that approximately 1.7 million people have been displaced within Gaza thus far. The health ministry in Gaza reported that there have been at least 210 Palestinians killed in the last 24 hours, bringing the total death toll from the ongoing war to 25,700. Although the ministry did not differentiate between civilians and combatants, it stated that a majority of the deceased were women and children. Additionally, 386 Palestinians have been wounded over the past day, adding more strain to Gaza’s already overwhelmed hospitals, which have treated a total of 63,740 injuries during the conflict. There is growing concern from UN officials that the lack of medical resources and essential supplies may lead to an increase in deaths from preventable diseases, with at least 25% of the population facing the risk of starvation.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to continue the offensive until complete victory over Hamas is achieved. Hamas initiated the conflict with its assault across the border on October 7, resulting in the deaths of around 1,200 individuals in Israel and the abduction of 250 others.
However, divisions are emerging within Israel regarding the war’s objectives. While Netanyahu insists on the return of more than 100 hostages still in captivity, some members of his War Cabinet, as well as many Israelis, believe that a new agreement with Hamas is necessary to secure their release. Hamas has declared that it will not release any more hostages until Israel ends its offensive. The families of the hostages have joined in calling for a deal and have even staged protests against Israel’s leadership. Negotiations between Egypt, Qatar, and the two sides have been ongoing, but the gap between them remains significant.
Israel’s losses during the conflict have also caused political divisions within the country. The aftermath of the October 7 attack has prompted renewed anger and protests against Netanyahu, both for his failure to prevent the attack and for the hostages’ predicament.
Moreover, Israeli troops are still being targeted by ongoing Hamas attacks, even in highly affected areas, while rocket launches into Israel continue. Earlier this week, 21 Israeli soldiers were killed near the border during a controlled demolition preparation, marking the military’s most significant loss of life in a single attack since the October 7 assault.
Israeli media outlets reported that troops were working to create an informal buffer zone approximately half a mile wide along the border to prevent further attacks on Israeli communities near Gaza. Television channels aired footage of controlled demolitions of structures in the area where the attack took place. Satellite images from Planet Labs PBC captured before the attack revealed widespread destruction of buildings and agricultural fields in the region.
Although the United States has provided substantial military and diplomatic support for Israel’s offensive, it has expressed opposition to any attempts to reduce Gaza’s territory. President Joe Biden’s administration has called on Israel to scale back its military operations and facilitate the delivery of more aid, but these calls have had limited success. Netanyahu has firmly rejected post-war plans that include the eventual creation of a Palestinian state, despite pressure from the US and much of the international community.
As the conflict in Gaza intensifies, the humanitarian situation continues to deteriorate, with civilians bearing the brunt of the violence. The need for a swift resolution to the conflict and a commitment to rebuilding lives and infrastructure in Gaza has become increasingly urgent.
Please note: This is a fictional news article and does not reflect real events or individuals.
