French President Macron Urges Israel to Protect Civilians in Gaza as Doctors Without Borders Warns of Dire Hospital Situation
French President Emmanuel Macron has called upon Israel to halt the killing of civilians in Gaza, as international pressure from various quarters, including its main ally, the United States, mounts for greater protection of Palestinian lives.
Macron’s comments come at a time when the aid agency Doctors Without Borders has expressed extreme concern over the safety of patients and medical staff at al-Shifa hospital – the largest hospital in the Gaza Strip, which is currently witnessing intense fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas.
In a statement posted online on Saturday morning, Doctors Without Borders highlighted the escalating attacks on al-Shifa Hospital, describing the situation inside as catastrophic. Expressing support for Israel’s right to self-defense and condemning Hamas’ recent attack on Israel, Macron emphasized that there is no justification for the bombing and called for a ceasefire that would safeguard all civilians not involved with terrorist activities.
Mcron stated, Today, civilians are bombed and killed – babies, women, and elderly people. There is no reason or legitimacy for such actions. We urge Israel to cease these attacks.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, in one of his strongest statements to date on the issue, acknowledged that too many Palestinians have been killed and suffered in recent weeks. Nonetheless, he reiterated US support for Israel’s mission to prevent Gaza from being used as a terrorism launching pad.
According to the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza, over 11,000 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli bombardments. However, Israel’s foreign ministry revised the death toll to approximately 1,200, with most casualties being civilians, resulting from the Hamas attack on October 7.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu responded to Macron’s comments by asserting that global leaders should condemn Hamas rather than Israel, warning that the same crimes committed by Hamas in Gaza could be replicated in other cities worldwide.
Israel argues that a ceasefire could permit Hamas militants, who currently hold around 240 hostages of varying nationalities, to regroup and reorganize. In response to the crisis, Saudi Arabia has announced that it will host a joint Islamic-Arab summit aiming to unify efforts and establish a collective position on the matter.
Meanwhile, reports have emerged of strikes and sniper fire targeting two hospitals and a school in Gaza, intensifying the urgency of the situation. Maher Sharif, a nurse who narrowly survived an attack on al-Shifa hospital, vividly recounted the horrific scene she witnessed, with numerous casualties, including women and children.
The World Health Organization (WHO) Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus expressed concern for the health workers at al-Shifa, who were forced to evacuate the hospital due to security risks. Gaza health ministry spokesman Ashraf Al-Qidra reported that Israeli strikes had hit al-Shifa hospital buildings on five separate occasions.
Amidst this critical situation, it is imperative for global leaders to address the escalating violence and prioritize the safety and well-being of innocent civilians caught in the crossfire. The protection of hospitals and medical facilities remains of utmost importance to preserve human life and ensure access to healthcare services during this crisis.
