Israeli airstrikes struck near several hospitals in Gaza City on early Friday (November 10) as the military advanced further into densely populated urban neighborhoods in its conflict with Hamas militants. This led to a growing number of civilians fleeing towards the southern part of the besieged territory.
Israel has accused Hamas fighters of using hospitals for cover and designating the Shifa Hospital complex as their main command center. However, Hamas and hospital staff have denied these allegations, asserting that Israel is using this as a pretext to target the hospital.
As the situation intensified, more people sought refuge in and around Shifa Hospital, which is the largest hospital in Gaza, hoping it would be safer than their homes or United Nations shelters in the north, some of which had been repeatedly targeted. Israeli troops were reported to be approximately 3 kilometers (2 miles) from the hospital, according to its director.
Early on Friday, Israeli airstrikes targeted the Shifa courtyard and the obstetrics department, as reported by the head of the Hamas-run media office in Gaza, Salama Maarouf. A video captured at the scene recorded the sound of incoming fire, waking people in their makeshift shelters within the courtyard, followed by cries for an ambulance.
Over 10,800 Palestinians killed
Over 10,800 Palestinians have lost their lives since the war commenced, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which does not distinguish between civilian and militant casualties. Additionally, more than 2,650 individuals have been reported as missing and may be trapped or deceased under the rubble.
While some, including United States President Joe Biden, have questioned the accuracy of the figures provided by the Gaza Health Ministry, Assistant Secretary of State Barbara Leaf informed lawmakers earlier in the week that it is “very possible” that the actual numbers are even higher than those reported.
In Israel, more than 1,400 people have been killed, primarily in the initial Hamas attack, and over 30 Israeli soldiers have lost their lives in Gaza since the ground offensive began.
Biden says ‘no possibility’ of Gaza ceasefire
On the other hand, while speaking on the Israel-Hamas War, US President Joe Biden said that there is “no possibility” of a ceasefire in Gaza City. The US President also assured that his government will not stop until it gets the hostages out. Biden, in conversation with the reporters about the chances of a Gaza ceasefire, said, “None, No possibility.”
Asked about an update on getting hostages out, he said, “We’re still optimistic.” In his message to the families of the hostages in Gaza, Biden said, “We’re not going to stop until we get them out.”
Speaking to reporters before Air Force One departure at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, Biden said that the retaliatory strikes in the Middle East are working “in the sense that we’re hitting the targets strategically.” Biden said he had asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a more than three-day pause.
Israel agrees to daily pauses to allow civilians to flee
Since the beginning of the week, the Israeli military has allocated several hours each day to allow civilians in northern Gaza to evacuate to the south, using the territory’s main north-south road. According to UN monitors, more than 120,000 civilians fled between Sunday and Thursday.
On Thursday, large groups of Palestinian families, stretching as far as the eye could see, were walking south to escape Israeli airstrikes and the ground battle taking place between Israeli troops and Hamas fighters.
The increasing movement of people towards the south occurred as Israel agreed to initiate a daily four-hour humanitarian pause and open a second route for people to escape from the north, as announced by the White House.
However, those fleeing to the south still face the risk of ongoing airstrikes and challenging humanitarian conditions.
(With inputs from Associated Press)