Health authorities in Gaza reported that Israeli forces have effectively cordoned off the Indonesian Hospital located in Beit Lahia, a town in the enclave’s northern region, and began shelling it at dawn. Meanwhile, the Israeli military acknowledged that troops are conducting operations in proximity to the hospital.
Marwan Sultan, the hospital’s director, voiced grave concerns, stating, “Israeli tanks completely encircled the hospital, cutting off its electricity supply and bombarding its structure. The artillery fire has specifically targeted the second and third floors.” He further emphasized, “The safety of both medical staff and patients is hanging by a thread.”
Gaza’s health ministry corroborated his account, claiming Israel’s assaults targeted upper floors and pointed out that there were “more than 40 patients and injured individuals present alongside medical personnel.” The mounting toll of violence has led to reports of over 400 casualties in northern Gaza within just two weeks, according to local officials.
When contacted by AFP, the Israeli military confirmed its operations near the Indonesian Hospital, asserting that its troops received specialized training and briefing on minimizing harm to civilians and medical facilities. “The hospital is functioning without disruption, operating at full capacity,” the military’s statement emphasized, denying any intentional strikes against the hospital.
Since initiating a renewed offensive early this month, Israel claimed to be targeting Hamas fighters believed to be regrouping in northern Gaza. The UN agency for humanitarian affairs has expressed alarm regarding the increasingly perilous conditions faced by civilians in the area. “Families are struggling to survive amidst horrific circumstances, enduring the relentless bombardment,” the agency stated.
Residents reported previous damage to the Indonesian Hospital from Israeli shelling earlier in October. Over time, Israel has encountered substantial international backlash for its perceived targeting of medical facilities, which it accuses Hamas of exploiting for militant activities. Gaza’s civil defense agency highlighted the staggering loss of life, claiming that over 400 Palestinians have died in northern Gaza since the military operation commenced.
Mahmud Bassal, the spokesperson for Gaza’s civil defense agency, remarked, “To date, we have recovered over 400 martyrs from various attacked regions in the northern Gaza Strip, including Jabalia and its camp, Beit Lahia, and Beit Hanoun, since the commencement of the military operation on October 6.” He further lamented that “dozens of bodies lay strewn across the streets of Jabalia due to the incessant shelling.” When reached for comment, the Israeli military press department noted they were “investigating” the claims made by Gazan authorities.
Mr. Bassal revealed that, as of yesterday, the grim toll from ongoing assaults had reached 386. He added, “This number includes 33 martyrs from a massacre witnessed in Jabalia, raising the total fatalities in northern Gaza to beyond 400,” in reference to an Israeli airstrike on the Jabalia refugee camp that occurred overnight. The casualties comprise women, children, and elderly individuals, according to his reports.
He disclosed that the deceased had been conveyed to hospitals like Kamal Adwan, Al-Awda, and the Indonesian facility. “Numerous families are pleading for assistance from the besieged Jabalia camp, but our teams face immense difficulty reaching the bombarded locales,” he noted. The situation is exacerbated by significant disruptions to communication and internet services, which hinder rescue efforts. “This loss of connectivity hampers the ability of citizens to reach out to our teams and other medical services,” Mr. Bassal explained.
The Israeli military launched a concentrated attack on Jabalia on October 6, which later spread to additional parts of northern Gaza. In light of the overwhelming demands at three hospitals in northern Gaza, health authorities urgently appealed for immediate deliveries of fuel, medical supplies, and food.
Reports state that “dozens of terrorists” have been neutralized in the military operations, yet aid agencies warn the actions could precipitate a further humanitarian disaster in the region. “In Jabalia, IDF troops engaged and eliminated several militants in close-quarters confrontations, supported by IAF airstrikes,” asserted the military in its communiqué.
The military has stood by its operations, defending them as necessary actions to eliminate “terrorists situated within civilian environments” while accusing Hamas of obstructing residents’ attempts to flee. Witnesses from Jabalia noted that Israeli tanks penetrated the heart of the camp, pushing through the surrounding suburbs and residential areas.
Residents reported that numerous houses are being demolished daily, both from aerial bombardments and ground incursions, along with demolitions orchestrated by planting explosives within structures and detonating them remotely. The Israeli military indicated its forces had been actively engaged in Jabalia for the past fortnight, eliminating militants in close-combat situations and executing aerial bombardments aimed at dismantling militant infrastructure.
In a separate incident, at least 11 individuals lost their lives in an Israeli strike targeting a home in the Al Maghazi refugee camp situated in central Gaza, as reported by the Palestinian news agency WAFA, which also indicated more people remain unaccounted for beneath the rubble.
On Thursday, Israel announced the elimination of Yahya Sinwar, whom they labeled as their most significant adversary—blaming him for authorizing the cataclysmic October 7 attack that left 1,200 Israelis dead and about 250 taking captives according to Israeli data.
Residents described an effective segregation of northern towns such as Beit Hanoun, Jabalia, and Beit Lahia from Gaza City, limiting movement to only those families complying with evacuation orders.
As a result of the conflict, communication and internet services have faced considerable outages, making it challenging for rescue operations to reach desperate residents. Gaza authorities have leveled allegations against Israeli forces concerning attacks on medical facilities.
The Indonesian Hospital, as previously mentioned, has found itself under siege during these tumultuous times, drawing criticisms from the international community over repeated allegations of endangering hospital sanctity amidst military endeavors.
Health officials reiterated their appeal for immediate humanitarian assistance to alleviate the overwhelming strains faced by hospitals in the north, compounded by escalated violence in Jabalia and the surrounding areas. The dire situation persists, with conditions worsening by the day as civilians navigate life amidst unrelenting attacks.
Palestinians displaced by the conflict have been seen forming long lines to receive essential food rations provided by charitable organizations amidst the chaos of the Nuseirat refugee camp.
Authorities urge for an expedited response to aid these communities before they face further catastrophes, emphasizing that the combination of military and humanitarian crises necessitates urgent intervention.
Edited by: Ali Musa
alimusa@axadletimes.com
Axadle international–Monitoring
