The Palestinian Red Crescent has reported receiving warnings from Israeli authorities instructing them to evacuate Al-Quds Hospital in northern Gaza. The hospital, which currently provides care to hundreds of injured individuals, including long-term patients, is also sheltering over 14,000 civilians, BBC reports.
The message received by the Red Crescent stated, "You must immediately run away from the combat zone in the hospital perimeter and surrounding shelters, to the humanitarian zone in the south," emphasizing that those present are in a combat zone, putting their lives at risk. Israeli authorities have expressed concerns about the hospital's proximity to potential clashes and have designated the area as a military zone.
It is important to note that hospitals are typically places of refuge and aid and are protected under international humanitarian law. Evacuating patients, especially those in critical care, presents significant challenges and risks to their lives.
In response, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has expressed deep alarm and called for the protection of hospitals at all costs. They have stressed that healthcare workers should not be forced into the impossible dilemma of leaving patients behind or risking their own lives.
The Palestinian Red Crescent has also appealed to the international community, indicating that they lack the means to carry out a safe evacuation. A representative of the organization explained, "We have over 400 patients who are inside the hospital, many of them are in the intensive care unit. Evacuating them means killing them."
The situation remains critical, and healthcare professionals are in a challenging position as they strive to provide care while ensuring the safety of patients and staff. The Israeli military has not issued a public comment on the evacuation order.
Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, expressed deep concern and reiterated that under International Humanitarian Law, healthcare facilities must always be protected.
https://twitter.com/PalestineRCS/status/1718551163128176881This development highlights the complex and delicate humanitarian situation in the region, with healthcare facilities and patients caught in the midst of ongoing conflict. The safety and well-being of patients and medical personnel are of paramount importance in such circumstances.
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