Gaza Hospital Faces Swift Evacuation as Tensions Spike

Gaza’s Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital evacuates as Israeli forces draw near, leaving patients in peril.

At a Glance

Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, Gaza, is emptying out due to fears of an Israeli ground operation.
The hospital, serving central Gaza, has not been ordered to evacuate by the Israeli military.
Israeli evacuation orders cover around 84% of Gaza’s territory, displacing about 90% of its 2.3 million population.
Only 16 of Gaza’s 36 hospitals are partially functioning, exacerbating the health crisis.
The war, which began on Oct. 7, has resulted in over 40,000 Palestinian casualties.

Hospital Evacuation Amid Escalating Conflict

The Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, Gaza, is rapidly emptying as Israeli forces approach. This critical healthcare facility, which has been a lifeline for central Gaza, now faces an uncertain future. The evacuation, while not officially ordered by the Israeli military, underscores the dire situation in the region as the conflict between Israel and Hamas intensifies.

The scene at the hospital is one of desperation and fear. Patients and staff are fleeing, with some pushing patients on stretchers or carrying sick children. The hospital, which was treating over 600 patients before the evacuation began, now has only about 100 remaining. This mass exodus is not just a logistical challenge but a humanitarian crisis in the making.

🔴BREAKING:

Israel has given Al Awda Hospital just two hours to evacuate. Our staff are still treating patients.

We unequivocally condemn this action, the continued indiscriminate bloodshed and attacks on health care in Gaza.

We are trying to protect our staff and patients.

— MSF International (@MSF) October 13, 2023

Widespread Displacement and Humanitarian Concerns

The situation at Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital is a microcosm of the larger crisis engulfing Gaza. Israeli evacuation orders now cover approximately 84% of Gaza’s territory, displacing around 90% of its 2.3 million population. Thousands of Palestinian families are living in tent camps along the beach with scarce food and clean water, a situation that satellite images confirm has worsened since mid-July.

“Where will we get medicine?” Adliyeh al-Najjar said as she rested outside the hospital gate. “Where will patients like me go?” https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/08/26/hospital-in-central-gaza-empties-out-as-israeli-forces-draw-near/

The U.N. Office for Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that recent Israeli evacuation orders have affected over 8,000 people in northern Gaza and Deir al-Balah. These orders impact not just residential areas but crucial infrastructure including humanitarian centers, clinics, wells, a water reservoir, and a desalination plant. The strain on essential services is reaching a breaking point.

Military Operations and Civilian Impact

The Israeli military states it is operating against Hamas in Deir al-Balah and has issued evacuation orders to protect civilians. They claim to have discovered weapons and dismantled a Hamas tunnel in the area. However, the impact on civilian infrastructure and life is severe. Israeli strikes in Gaza City and Khan Younis have reportedly killed at least 19 people, including seven men fishing on the seashore in Gaza City.

“This effectively upends a whole lifesaving humanitarian hub,” Laerke said. https://www.chicagotribune.com/2024/08/26/hospital-in-central-gaza-empties-out-as-israeli-forces-draw-near/

The war, which began on Oct. 7 with a Hamas attack on Israeli bases, has escalated dramatically. Israel’s retaliatory offensive has resulted in over 40,000 Palestinian casualties and caused heavy destruction. The conflict has also spilled over, with fighting resuming between Israel and Hezbollah across the Lebanon border.

Healthcare System in Crisis

The evacuation of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital is part of a broader crisis facing Gaza’s healthcare system. Only 16 of Gaza’s 36 hospitals are partially functioning, severely limiting the region’s ability to provide medical care. Doctors Without Borders (MSF) is considering suspending wound care due to an explosion near the hospital, further compromising available medical services.

“Evacuating a hospital is an extremely risky and extremely complex enterprise,” – Alyona Synenko, a spokesperson for the ICRC https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/gaza-hospital-evacuation-israel-heavy-fighting-rcna124877

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is in discussions about evacuations but highlights the risks and complexities involved. The situation remains precarious, with no clear resolution in sight. As the conflict continues, the humanitarian crisis deepens, leaving Gaza’s civilians, especially the sick and vulnerable, in an increasingly desperate situation.