Watan-The Israeli occupation army has turned the Shifa Medical Complex into a battlefield after imposing a siege on the compound.
Against the backdrop of relentless artillery and aerial bombardment on the hospital, Ashraf al-Qidra, the spokesperson for the Ministry of Health in Gaza, stated that the Israeli occupation has transformed the Shifa Medical Complex into an open war zone.
During an interview with Al Jazeera, he added that Israeli drones continue to fire at the hospital, targeting anyone moving within its premises.
Ashraf al-Qidra pointed out that they have made numerous pleas and appeals to relevant international and humanitarian organizations, but without any noteworthy response.
Dozens of bodies lie in the hospital courtyard
In a related context, at least 80 corpses were seen scattered on the ground in the hospital courtyard, while the medical staff is helpless in dealing with these bodies.
Meanwhile, the Director-General of the Ministry of Health in Gaza, Munir al-Barsh, stated that the occupying army is intensifying severe shelling near the Shifa Medical Complex. He explained that there is no permission for the entry of medicine and food, and nothing is allowed to enter or exit the hospital, even if it is an ambulance.
Munir al-Barsh added that there is a tragedy unfolding for patients and medical teams inside the hospital, which has been surrounded by the Israeli occupation for the past two days.
Speaking to Al Jazeera live, he said, “As soon as we step out of the window, the Israeli sniper is immediately facing us. Yesterday, a patient tried to look out of the window, but an Israeli sniper shot him, causing severe chest injuries that shattered all his bones.”
According to Munir al-Barsh, two doctors and members of their families were martyred in the shelling that targeted homes adjacent to the hospital. One of them bled to death, and reaching him was impossible due to the occupation.
Dogs are feeding on the corpses
Continuing, he stated, “The scene is extremely horrifying; dogs have resorted to the hospital due to the shelling outside, finding corpses strewn on the ground and feeding on them. These are scenes we never thought we would witness even in our worst nightmares.”
In a related context, the medical staff at Shifa Hospital had to remove newborns from incubators due to a complete power outage.
أطباء #مستشفى_الشفاء في #غزة يجمعون الأطفال الخدج إلى جانب بعضهم البعض للحفاظ على حرارة أجسادهم قدر الإمكان، بعد الانقطاع الكامل للكهرباء وتوقف عمل الحضّانات.#الجزيرة_مباشر #غزة_لحظة_بلحظة pic.twitter.com/UfybGCuCT4
— الجزيرة مباشر (@ajmubasher) November 12, 2023
These infants were placed in rooms lacking necessary medical resources, and tragically, two of them lost their lives as a result.
The Israeli war on Gaza has entered its sixth week, resulting in over 11,000 martyrs and 28,000 injuries so far.
The ongoing Israeli war on Gaza has led to the destruction of about half of its buildings, including hospitals. The occupation forces have not spared hospitals, having targeted several of them, in addition to cutting off electricity and even oxygen needed by patients.