Palestinians who sought refuge in ‘house of healing’ face impending death as Israeli troops surround

Gaza City: Dar al-Shifa Hospital, known as the "house of healing," is facing an unprecedented crisis as Israeli troops surround Gaza City, bringing with them a series of devastating attacks. Tens of thousands of Palestinians who sought refuge within the hospital's grounds are now in grave danger as strikes intensify in proximity.

Initially, the hospital's courtyard, a place of shelter, has transformed into a makeshift camp for the internally displaced, with brightly coloured sheets strung together to create makeshift tents.

As the conflict escalates, the number of people seeking refuge in the hospital has surged to over 50,000, further straining the already overwhelmed facilities. The situation is dire, with limited medical supplies, dwindling fuel reserves, and reports of surgeons forced to operate without anaesthesia due to shortages.

The hospital's vulnerability is exacerbated by Israeli forces drawing closer, targeting nearby buildings and releasing images of soldiers gathered around a flag planted on the beach. Israeli officials claim that the hospital acts as a shield for military infrastructure, an assertion denied by hospital workers and Hamas representatives.

Despite the escalating crisis, the Israel Defense Forces attribute strikes on the hospital to misfired projectiles aimed at their troops, putting the blame on Palestinian militant groups within Gaza. The hospital, now operating on its backup generator, is at risk of collapse, jeopardizing the lives of thousands of patients, staff, and displaced civilians.

The United Nations has condemned attacks on Shifa Hospital with UN emergency relief coordinator Martin Griffiths pleading for an end to acts of war in places of grace, emphasizing the imminent threat to thousands of lives.

Amid the chaos, there are futile attempts to evacuate the hospital, as large fires on a designated coastal evacuation route make escape nearly impossible. Human Rights Watch describes the demand for evacuation as unrealistic and highlights the urgent need to uphold the special protection granted to hospitals under the laws of war.

For the people of Gaza City, the once vibrant streets have transformed into a ghost town, with closed-off roads, shuttered buildings, and debris strewn across destroyed homes. As the world watches in horror, the potential collapse of Shifa Hospital looms large, with the lives of thousands hanging in the balance.