GAZA – Israel today forced those present in Al-Shifa Medical Complex in Gaza City, including patients, displaced persons and medical staff, to evacuate through a single exit.
They were directed, via loudspeakers, to proceed on foot towards al-Wahda Street, then onto Salah El-Din Street, and finally towards the south.
According to the official Palestinian news agency, Wafa, medical sources in Gaza reported that 150 critically ill patients remained in the hospital due to the difficulty of evacuating them, along with five doctors providing care until they can be safely moved.
They were forced to raise white flags and traverse severely damaged roads, pushing patients on wheelchairs and sickbeds, while assisting the wounded in navigating these perilous paths.
Israeli forces besieged the medical complex for nine days, resulting in the destruction of medical equipment and the deaths of wounded individuals and a number of premature babies.
Several buildings were bombed and destroyed including the cardiac facility on the western side of the complex.
Al-Shifa is the largest medical centre in the Gaza Strip, and is affiliated with the Palestinian Health Ministry.
Established in 1946 during the British Mandate, it initially operated as small kiosks offering medical care to patients. Evolving gradually, it has grown into the largest medical complex in the Gaza Strip, employing 25% of the hospital workforce in the entire region.
The complex includes three specialised hospitals – fo surgery, internal medicine, and obstetrics and gynaecology – with a nursery for premature babies, in addition to the emergency department, intensive care unit, radiology and a blood bank, offering a capacity of 500-700 beds. – November 18, 2023