The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported on Saturday that a thwarted missile launch by terrorists in the Gaza Strip had struck Al-Shifa Hospital, the largest and one of the oldest Palestinian health institutions in the enclave.
Avichay Adraee, the IDF's Arabic spokesperson, disclosed in a post on X that analysis of operational systems suggested saboteurs fired rockets, targeting IDF forces near Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.
According to IDF assessments, rocket-propelled grenades hit the hospital, leading them to attribute responsibility to terrorist organizations in Gaza. The IDF contends that Hamas operates from tunnels beneath Al-Shifa, a claim rejected by the militant group.
This incident follows recent statements by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN Relief Works Agency (UNRWA), describing dire conditions at Al-Shifa Hospital amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
A joint statement from both agencies highlighted overcrowded conditions, with nearly two patients for each available bed. The emergency department and wards were overflowing, necessitating medical staff to treat patients in corridors, on floors, and outdoors.
Compounding the situation, the Gaza Strip, including Al-Shifa Hospital, has been without fuel for over a month. The UN Office for Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that the hospital has been targeted at least five times since Thursday. These developments underscore the humanitarian challenges faced by the hospital and the broader impact of the conflict on healthcare infrastructure in the region.
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