Israel- Gaza Conflict | Al-Shifa hospital lies in ruins after Israeli raid

New Delhi, Apr 1: Gaza's al-Shifa hospital lies in ruins following a two-week Israeli raid, leaving much of the vital medical complex destroyed. Israel's military announced its withdrawal from al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City after the raid, during which a major portion of the facility was reduced to rubble, media reported.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, head of the World Health Organization (WHO), expressed concern over the situation, citing patient deaths and inadequate medical care during the siege. Patients recounted harrowing experiences, including shortages of food and medicine amid continuous bombing.

The Gaza health ministry reported the discovery of dozens of bodies in and around the hospital, with nearby areas also devastated. The Israel Défense Forces (IDF) stated that they had targeted the hospital because it had allegedly become a gathering point for militants.

The operation, characterized by intense fighting and airstrikes, destroyed key hospital buildings, including the main surgery building and emergency departments.

Despite the IDF's assertion that they conducted precise operations to minimize harm to civilians, patients, and medical staff, reports indicate damage to the hospital and disruptions to medical care.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu labelled al-Shifa hospital as a "terrorist lair," claiming that numerous militants had been killed or apprehended during the raid.

Gaza's hospitals have been heavily impacted by the conflict, with many serving as shelters for civilians seeking refuge from Israeli airstrikes. The Gaza health ministry has appealed for international assistance to resume medical services at Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, which has been out of operation since a previous Israeli incursion.

The conflict in Gaza has resulted in a major loss of life and widespread devastation. The exact toll on civilians remains unclear, but the humanitarian situation is dire, with warnings of imminent famine and urgent calls for unhindered humanitarian aid access.