NEW YORK, April 1, 2024—The international medical humanitarian organization Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) is horrified that Al-Shifa Hospital in northern Gaza is in ruins after a 14-day long operation by Israeli forces in and around the facility.
According to the World Health Organization yesterday, 21 patients have died since the hospital came under siege on March 18. Approximately 107 other people remained trapped inside as of yesterday, including four children and 28 people in critical condition. Patients who remain in Al-Shifa Hospital must be safely evacuated so they can receive the care they need, said MSF.
MSF was forced to evacuate Al-Shifa Hospital in November following massive bombardment by Israeli forces, though staff members were able to visit the hospital in January and March. While the hospital was only partially functioning and desperately lacking supplies last month, medical staff were still treating over 200 patients.
While we cannot confirm the exact number of casualties as a result of this latest military operation, hundreds of people have been killed, including medical staff, and bodies are lying in the street, according to news reports. There have also been mass arrests of medical staff and other people in and around the hospital.
Given the extent of the destruction, people in the north of Gaza are left with even fewer health care options amid increasing medical needs.
The violence of the assault and heavy fighting throughout the last two weeks also impacted MSF’s clinic located near the hospital. “I saw the huge damage,” said an MSF staff member. “I was in shock. They damaged the office, clinic, all the cars, and the generators.”
An immediate and sustained ceasefire must be implemented now to stop the destruction of health care facilities in Gaza and protect the lives of patients and medical staff.
