An ambulance convoy departing al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza was hit by an Israeli strike, leading to a feared significant number of casualties. According to sources from al-Jazeera, Gaza officials have confirmed the tragic incident.
Israel has acknowledged the strike on the ambulance, justifying the action with claims that Hamas utilized the vehicle for its operations. Contrarily, Palestinian health representatives clarified that the ambulance was transporting patients to the southern region of Gaza.
Additional Attacks and Call for International Intervention
In a separate incident, officials reported the death of at least 14 Palestinians, including children, as they tried to flee southwards along Gaza’s coastal road. In the aftermath of the attack, a press conference held outside al-Shifa Hospital saw al-Qudra label the strike as a “massacre against more victims”. Emphasizing the need for international intervention, the Health Ministry spokesperson appealed, “We urge the global community to halt the atrocities being committed against our populace, including the paramedics, injured, and victims.”
A plea was made to establish a humanitarian corridor to ensure the safe transportation of victims and to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.
In response to the attack, WHO’s head, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, fervently appealed for a ceasefire. Taking to social media, he underscored the need to protect patients, health workers, and medical facilities at all times.
Hamas’s political bureau head, Ismail Haniyeh, condemned the recent Israeli strikes on ambulances and medical facilities in the Gaza Strip. He expressed that the attacks showcase the challenges faced by the occupation forces when confronted by the resistance. Haniyeh reaffirmed their commitment to defending their land and avenging the fallen.
Additionally, he urged neighbouring Egypt to open the Rafah border crossing fully and called upon the global community to voice their disapproval against Israel and its allies. Lastly, he implored the international community to act on its “humanitarian, moral, and political responsibilities” and implement UN resolutions to end the ongoing crisis.
