Israel-Hamas Conflict Update: Airstrikes Damage Gaza Hospital

Israeli airstrikes have damaged parts of the Al-Quds Hospital in Gaza City, making it impossible to evacuate the hundreds of patients, including children in incubators and wounded people in the intensive-care unit.

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has resulted in devastating consequences, particularly for the civilian population in the Gaza Strip. Here are the latest updates on the situation:

Gaza Hospital Damaged in Israeli Strikes

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society reported that Israeli strikes on Sunday caused significant damage to sections of the Al-Quds Hospital in Gaza City. The hospital received two phone calls from the Israeli military urging them to evacuate the premises. Videos shared by the Red Crescent on social media showed rooms covered in debris and dust, with blown-out windows. The hospital administration stated that evacuation was impossible due to the presence of hundreds of patients, including children in incubators and wounded individuals in the intensive care unit. The strikes targeted areas around the hospital throughout Sunday, leading the director-general of the World Health Organization to express concerns about the impossibility of safely evacuating hospitals.

Israel Kills Hamas Militants Near Erez Crossing

The Israeli military announced that its ground forces killed several Hamas militants as they were exiting a tunnel near the Erez crossing. The crossing, which used to serve as the sole pedestrian passageway out of Gaza into Israel, was destroyed during the fighting. The exact number of militants killed remains unclear. Videos released by the military showed tanks navigating sandy hills and bulldozers clearing debris. Hamas is known to have an extensive network of tunnels beneath Gaza, where it stores weapons, food, and other supplies.

ICC Chief Prosecutor Visits Egypt-Gaza Border

Karim Khan, the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), visited the Rafah crossing point between Egypt and Gaza on Sunday. An Egyptian official stated that Khan inspected the crossing and received a briefing on the damage caused by Israeli airstrikes on the Palestinian side. The official spoke on condition of anonymity. Khan's office previously opened an investigation into potential war crimes committed by Israel in Gaza during the 2014 war. He is scheduled to address his trip to the Egyptian border with Gaza during a news conference in Cairo.

Number of Children Killed Soars

According to the international charity Save the Children, the number of children killed in the Gaza Strip since the start of the Hamas-Israel conflict earlier this month has surpassed the number of children killed in armed conflicts globally each year since 2019. The charity cited figures from the Gaza Health Ministry, stating that at least 3,195 children have been killed in the conflict, which was sparked by a surprise Hamas attack on October 7. The statement also mentioned the deaths of 33 children in the occupied West Bank and 29 children in Israel. The Country Director of Save the Children in the occupied Palestinian territory, Jason Lee, emphasized that every child's death is one too many, and called for an immediate cease-fire to ensure the safety of children.

UN Secretary-General Calls for Humanitarian Cease-Fire

UN Secretary-General António Guterres expressed grave concern about the humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza, with over two million people deprived of essential needs and subjected to relentless bombardment. During a meeting with Nepal's prime minister in Kathmandu, Guterres urged all parties to step back from the brink and join forces to end the nightmare for the people of Gaza, Israel, and those affected worldwide. He reiterated his appeal for an immediate humanitarian cease-fire, the unconditional release of all hostages, and the delivery of aid on a large scale to Gaza. Guterres condemned the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7 but stressed that there is no justification for the killing, injuring, or abduction of civilians. He emphasized the obligation of all parties to the conflict to protect civilians and provide them with essential necessities, asserting that international humanitarian laws cannot be manipulated for convenience.

Israel Drops Leaflets Asking Civilians to Surrender

The Israeli military, which maintains that it is not at war with civilians in Gaza but with Hamas, dropped leaflets on the Gaza Strip urging civilians to "surrender." Written in Arabic, the leaflets instructed civilians to lay down their weapons, raise their hands, wave white flags, and follow instructions from the Israeli military. The leaflets accused Hamas leaders of exploiting civilians while they and their families remain in safe places. The leaflets reflect Israel's efforts to differentiate between Hamas and the civilian population in Gaza.

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas continues to escalate, with devastating consequences for the civilian population. The international community has expressed deep concern and called for an immediate cease-fire to address the humanitarian crisis and protect civilians.