Israeli military vehicles have advanced to the gates of Al-Shifa hospital complex in Gaza, according to Gazan health officials. The hospital is experiencing worsening conditions as fuel, medicine, and food supplies run out for the patients and thousands of people seeking shelter there. Due to the lack of electricity and fuel, the hospital is unable to preserve or remove corpses, leading to decomposing bodies within the facility. Premature babies are also at risk as doctors struggle to keep them warm without functioning incubators. The power cut at Al-Shifa hospital has resulted in at least 12 deaths, according to the U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights, and three nurses were killed on Monday. The hospital’s chief nurse described the situation as catastrophic. The Israeli military stated that it is engaged in battle against Hamas and clarified that it is not targeting the hospital itself. Israeli officials claim that Hamas uses hospitals in Gaza as shields for fighters, but Hamas denies these allegations. The Israeli military delivered fuel to the hospital but left it in a combat zone, making it unsafe to retrieve. Israeli military vehicles have reached the Al-Shifa complex, including the maternity hospital, as fighting intensifies. The hospital is facing significant challenges, including decomposing bodies, staff and patients suffering from thirst and hunger, and a lack of necessary equipment and supplies. The International Committee of the Red Cross is in contact with the health ministry but has not addressed the issue of decomposing bodies. The hospital’s neonatal unit has been affected, with premature babies at risk due to disabled oxygen equipment. The remaining premature babies have been transferred to another department, but they lack the necessary incubators. Hospital staff are using reflective foil and blankets to provide warmth. The neonatal unit has enough baby formula for a few more days. Negotiations are ongoing for the evacuation of the babies. The hospital is under constant shelling and strikes, and medical staff are unable to leave the building to remove corpses. Displaced people attempting to leave the hospital have come under fire and some have been killed. The Israeli military has not responded to accusations of firing on people leaving the hospital.
