On Monday, the Gaza Health Ministry reported that Al-Shifa Hospital, the largest medical facility in Gaza, is currently facing a full-scale siege imposed by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
“There are more than 100 bodies in the hospital compound which have now begun to decompose,” the Gaza Health Ministry said in a statement.
It said there is an unprecedented risk of epidemic due to decomposing of the bodies. “The corpses smell has begun to spread everywhere,” the ministry said.
According to the Gaza Health Ministry's statement on Monday, Al-Shifa Hospital, accommodating over 8,000 people, is grappling with a dire situation as it remains under siege by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), with a severe scarcity of food and water for survivors.
Despite IDF's assertion that Al-Wahida Street provides a safe passage for entry and exit from Al-Shifa Hospital, the ministry claims that individuals attempting to leave the hospital are being targeted by IDF forces. Notably, the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Al-Shifa Hospital has been subjected to IDF attacks on two separate occasions.
In an additional development, the ministry disclosed that the IDF offered 300 liters of diesel but stipulated that someone from the hospital must venture out to collect the fuel, a challenging prospect given the perilous conditions around the hospital premises.
“The Hospital Director refused the offer and asked the fuel to be handed over to the International Red Cross which was not agreed by IDF,” the ministry said.
The Gaza Health Ministry has emphasized that Al-Shifa Hospital requires 500 liters of diesel per hour to maintain its operations. Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) contends that the hospital is allegedly being utilized by Hamas as a base, functioning as a command center for the organization.
(With Agency Inputs)
ALSO READ | IDF Reports 21 Hamas Members Fatally Engaged near Al-Quds Hospital
ALSO READ | Israeli Ground Offensive Claims Lives of 44 Soldiers in Gaza
