Associated Press: The Condition of Hospitals in Gaza is Critical

On Thursday, April 9, the Associated Press reported on the critical condition of hospitals in Gaza and the high number of child casualties due to the war between Israel and Hamas. According to the report, the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas has inflicted severe damage on Gaza's healthcare sector, and currently, only a few of the 36 hospitals in this densely populated area are operational. One of the active hospitals in Gaza is the 'Martyrs of Al-Aqsa' hospital, which has 160 beds but is currently accommodating over 800 patients, with many of its 120 staff unable to continue working. In addition to patients, a large number of Gaza residents who have been forced to leave their homes due to the war are now sheltering in hospitals. The Associated Press reported that Israel has released numerous images and documents over the past months indicating that Palestinian militants have used civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, for military purposes. Under international law, hospitals are afforded special protection, but this protection can be revoked if they are used for military purposes. Following the terrorist attack by Hamas on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the abduction of over 250 others, Israel launched an offensive against Gaza aimed at destroying this Islamist group supported by the Islamic Republic. This offensive has displaced the majority of Gaza's population of 2.3 million, who are in urgent need of food and other essential supplies. Despite the devastating consequences of Hamas's terrorist attack on Israel, officials from this Islamist group have repeatedly emphasized that they will carry out similar attacks if possible. Hamas claims that over 32,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed and about 75,000 others injured, without specifying the number of its own members killed as a result of Israel's offensive. The Persian section of Voice of America cannot independently verify or confirm the figures provided by Hamas. Meanwhile, Israel has repeatedly stated that Hamas uses Palestinian civilians as human shields. The United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, Japan, Israel, and several other countries have listed Hamas as a terrorist organization. The U.S. Secretary of Defense told his Israeli counterpart that protecting Palestinian civilians is 'moral and necessary.' The Israeli army stated that Hamas is 'destroying' Shifa hospital, claiming that at least 170 Palestinian militants were killed during clashes at Shifa hospital. The Israeli army also reported that 358 members of Hamas and Islamic Jihad were arrested at Shifa hospital. Israel attributed attacks on Palestinian civilians in queues for aid to 'armed Palestinian men.' Israel announced that a 'precise and limited operation' at Nasser hospital has concluded, with 200 individuals arrested.