Thirty-one premature babies were successfully evacuated from Gaza’s main hospital amidst the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, according to health officials. The infants were transferred to another hospital in the south of Gaza before being moved to Egypt for further care. Their evacuation comes after Israeli forces entered the hospital compound, leaving critically wounded patients stranded. The images showing doctors struggling to keep the babies warm amid a power blackout and shortage of supplies had garnered global attention.
The World Health Organization (WHO) confirmed that the very sick babies, along with six health workers and ten staff family members, were transported by Palestinian Red Crescent ambulances to a hospital in the southern Gaza city of Rafah. There, they are receiving urgent medical attention. A WHO team that visited the hospital also reported that aside from the babies, there were still 291 patients at the facility, including trauma patients with severe wounds and individuals with spinal injuries who were unable to move. Sadly, four babies had already passed away prior to the team’s arrival.
Shifa Hospital, the main medical facility in Gaza, has also played a significant role in recent tensions. Israel has alleged that Hamas, the militant group in control of Gaza, uses Shifa as a command post and that the hospital’s staff could potentially be providing cover for their activities. On the other hand, Hamas and hospital staff deny these allegations. The Israeli military has targeted Shifa as part of its efforts to end Hamas’ rule in Gaza following an attack by the militant group into southern Israel, which resulted in the death of over 1,200 people and triggered the ongoing conflict.
Before the evacuation of the premature babies, around 2,500 displaced individuals, mobile patients, and medical staff had left Shifa Hospital. However, 25 medical personnel and remaining patients are still at the hospital. The WHO described the situation at Shifa as terrifying, with patients and staff pleading for evacuation due to concerns about their safety and health.
As the conflict continues, the fate of those left behind at Shifa Hospital remains uncertain. The successful evacuation of the premature babies serves as a glimmer of hope amidst the turmoil and emphasizes the urgent need for a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The international community continues to monitor the situation closely, hoping for a swift end to the violence and a lasting peace in the region.
