Attack on Ambulance Convoy in Gaza; Israel: Hamas Terrorists Were Inside

The Gaza Health Ministry, controlled by Hamas, reports that several people were killed in an attack on a convoy of ambulances near Al-Shifa Hospital. A reporter from Agence France-Presse at the scene reported seeing bodies next to an ambulance. The Gaza Health Ministry had previously announced that hundreds of critically ill patients would be transferred from Al-Shifa Hospital in northern Gaza to the border of the region in the south with Egypt using a convoy of ambulances. The Secretary-General of the World Health Organization expressed shock at the news of the attack on the ambulance and reiterated the need to protect patients, healthcare workers, and ambulances. The Israeli army stated in a post on social media that several Hamas terrorists inside the ambulance were killed in the airstrike. The Israeli army claims to have information indicating that Hamas uses ambulances to transport terrorists and weapons. The Islamic Republic government has also been accused of misusing ambulances during recent protests to infiltrate among demonstrators and transport detainees and its personnel, which has drawn widespread criticism from health activists and international organizations. The extensive civilian casualties in recent clashes between Israel and Hamas have increasingly drawn global attention to finding ways to prevent further losses. The UN Secretary-General stated that under international law, all parties involved in the war are obligated to protect civilians and provide food, water, medicine, and other essential items for them, and 'these laws cannot be violated for the sake of expediency.' U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, after meeting with Israeli officials, referred to the plight of Palestinian civilians and their suffering, including Palestinian children, accusing the Hamas militant group of showing 'no regard for the welfare and interests of the Palestinian people and using them as human shields.' According to Mr. Blinken, the President of the United States has repeatedly emphasized the necessity of adhering to international law concerning civilians. The U.S. Secretary of State added that he and Israeli leaders have also identified mechanisms for delivering fuel to hospitals in Gaza. The Israeli army has repeatedly stated that it is not at war with Gaza's civilians but with Hamas. Israel claims that Hamas hides behind Palestinian civilians. The UN is requesting $1.2 billion in aid to meet the urgent needs of Gaza residents. The Israeli army states that Hamas forces are misusing fuel sent to Gaza hospitals. The World Health Organization warns that Gaza is on the brink of a 'public health disaster.' The Israeli army claims that the largest hospital in Gaza is a Hamas command center; Hamas denies this.