Palestinian officials reported that on Friday an Israeli military operation targeted Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, marking another instance in a series of attacks. Al Shifa Hospital, the largest medical complex in Gaza, sits in the northern part of the territory, and the strike reportedly caused many casualties, leaving dozens dead and more injured in and around the facility’s vicinity.
The Ministry of Health in Palestine provided a formal statement detailing that the bombs struck near the entrance of the medical complex. Officials described that a large portion of those wounded were in critical condition, with many needing urgent, life-saving care. The news agency WAFA corroborated these accounts, noting the significant immediate impact on patients, families, medical staff, and residents who had sought shelter within hospital grounds after their homes were damaged or destroyed.
Witnesses described a scene of chaos as ambulances and evacuation efforts began. The Ministry spokespersons underscored the gravity of the situation, emphasizing that the hospital and surrounding facilities faced a severe disruption to normal operations and the broader risk to civilian life in the area. The international community has repeatedly urged safeguards for medical facilities in conflict zones, stressing that attacks on hospitals endanger noncombatants and impede lifesaving care.
A spokesman for the Ministry of Health, Ashraf al Kudra, stated that the injured, many of whom were in critical condition, would require treatment beyond the immediate region and could be transferred to facilities in the southern part of Gaza or, if necessary, to neighboring countries with suitable medical capabilities, depending on access and safety conditions on the ground.
The Israeli army confirmed that it was reviewing the reported information about the incident. Earlier, a spokesman identified as Daniel Hagari suggested that Hamas had released a recording alleging a conversation between a hospital worker and an Israeli soldier, in which it was claimed that fuel was being diverted from Al Shifa Hospital for militant purposes. He contended that such claims were part of a broader narrative aimed at portraying Israeli actions in a cynical light and obscuring the realities on the ground.
In response to the broader humanitarian concerns, Israeli officials maintained that their operations targeted militant infrastructure and warned against the manipulation of situations that put civilians at risk. They asserted that the goal remained to reduce the capacity of armed groups to threaten civilians, while noting the heavy burden this places on the local population who depend on essential services like hospitals for survival. Reports also indicated that Hamas had warned that hospital fuel reserves were reaching critical levels, with some assertions suggesting fuel theft or misallocation as part of a broader combat strategy. Independent monitors have called for transparent investigations to verify such claims and to ensure that humanitarian norms are upheld in the conflict zone.
The Palestinian health authorities urged the international community to view the incident within the wider context of a humanitarian emergency. Mai al Qila, the Palestinian health minister, warned of a potential humanitarian disaster that could disrupt power supplies to major medical facilities such as Al Shifa. He noted that secondary generators were operating intermittently and that only a portion of the hospital complex could function for a limited time. He further reported that ongoing bombardments and fuel shortages had forced 16 out of 35 hospitals in Gaza to halt operations, exacerbating the risk to civilians who depend on medical care for their lives. The statement called for urgent relief efforts to prevent a complete breakdown of healthcare services in northern Gaza and to enable a safer corridor for aid and medical evacuations where feasible. At the same time, officials stressed that protecting civilians and medical facilities remains a priority under international humanitarian law, and that any violation should be promptly addressed through accountability mechanisms and impartial investigations.