Israeli forces have stormed al-Amal hospital south of the Gaza Strip, demanding that displaced people taking refuge there evacuate at gunpoint.
Israeli tanks on Tuesday fired near al-Amal Hospital in Khan Yunis, which is also the headquarters of the Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS).
“Israeli tanks are currently stationed in al-Amal hospital front yard, firing live ammunition and smoke grenades at the displaced individuals and PRCS staff,” the group said in a social media post.
“We deeply worry for the safety of our teams, the wounded, the sick, and thousands of displaced people in the building. Fires have broken out in tents within the confines of the PRCS Headquarters.”
Israeli tanks are currently stationed in AL-Amal hospital front yard, firing live ammunition and smoke grenades at the displaced individuals and PRCS staff.
We deeply worry for the safety of our teams, the wounded, the sick, and thousands of displaced people in the building. 🔥…
— PRCS (@PalestineRCS) January 30, 2024
The medical charity said on X that at least one displaced woman was killed and nine others were injured as a result of the violence.
🚨Urgent: Targeting and gunfire from occupation tanks near Al-Amal Hospital and the besieged PRCS headquarters in #KhanYounis city, resulting in shrapnel falling on the displaced individuals. One displaced woman has been martyred, and 9 others have been injured so far.… pic.twitter.com/DnKt15phxH
— PRCS (@PalestineRCS) January 30, 2024
The attack took place as thousands of displaced Palestinians were taking refuge at the hospital.
Media reports said Israeli forces had destroyed the back wall of the hospital and set fire to makeshift tents in the facility of this medical complex.
The evacuees there were completely terrified as the Israeli forces told them to flee and get out of the medical complex.
This is one of the last two remaining hospitals that are still operating in the city of Khan Younis, and this will add extra pressure on the ability of medical teams and the medical sector to keep operating amid the ongoing Israeli military aggression on Khan Younis.
The head of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has said that the healthcare system in Gaza is on the brink of collapse.
Officials in al-Amal Hospital say they have suspended surgeries due to lack of oxygen supplies. Hospitals have been a central target of Israel’s attacks.
The regime’s forces have also struck ambulances marked with the Red Cross or Red Crescent emblem, often in proximity to hospitals.
Palestinians on Tuesday also condemned the assassination of three young men by Israeli undercover forces in a West Bank hospital as a heinous crime against humanity
The troops, disguised as medical staff and women, stormed the Ibn Sina Hospital in the city of Jenin. The hospital officials say the young men were assassinated while they were asleep.
The Palestinian health ministry has called on the United Nations to stop Israel’s daily string of crimes against Palestinian people and health centers. The Palestinian foreign ministry described it as a heinous crime against humanity.
The Israeli regime has struck residential buildings across the Gaza Strip, killing more than 200 people in 24 hours.
Hamas has denounced the attack too, saying it won’t go unpunished.
