Israeli military vehicles surround Al-Quds Hospital in Gaza City
The Palestine Red Crescent Society has said that the Israeli army deployed military vehicles and tanks near Al-Quds Hospital in Gaza City amid preparations for the evacuation of the hospital.
“Israeli tanks and military stationed near Al-Quds Hospital from all directions. Bombardment is ongoing; while the hospital preparations are underway to evacuate patients and their families, and medical personnel,” the humanitarian organisation said on the social media platform X, according to Anadolu Agency.
On November 12, the aid agency said Al-Quds Hospital went out of service due to the depletion of fuel and power outages.
The United Nations Population Fund, UNICEF, and the World Health Organisation called for an “urgent international action” to end Israeli attacks on hospitals in the besieged Gaza Strip.
For three days, Israeli forces have heightened their presence around hospitals in the northern part of the strip, demanding residents in the north of the enclave to flee south.
Tension has been running high across the Palestinian territories amid an Israeli military offensive on the Gaza Strip following a cross-border attack by the Palestinian group Hamas on October 7.
More than 11,180 Palestinians have been killed, including over 7,700 children and women, in Israeli air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip since last month, and nearly 28,200 others injured, according to the latest official figures by the Palestinian authorities. Thousands of buildings, including hospitals, have also been destroyed or damaged in the Israeli assault.
The Israeli death toll is nearly 1,200, according to official figures.