On Sunday, Chief Israeli military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari announced that the Israeli military would assist in evacuating babies from Gaza’s Al Shifa Hospital. This decision followed accusations from Hamas claiming that the hospital had been placed under “complete siege” by Israeli forces. According to Mr. Hagari, the hospital staff had requested help in transferring the babies from the pediatric department to a safer hospital, which the IDF promised to facilitate amidst the ongoing conflict against Hamas in the vicinity of the hospital.
Ashraf Al-Qidra, representing the health ministry in Hamas-controlled Gaza, had reported that the hospital had ceased functioning due to a fuel shortage, causing the deaths of two babies in an incubator. He expressed urgency for a solution to provide fuel or electricity to prevent further loss of lives. In response, the Israel Defense Forces provided a map outlining the suggested evacuation route via Telegram, aiming to enable the safe passage of civilians from Al Shifa, Rantisi, and Nasser hospitals during a seven-hour pause in the conflict.
While Israel emphasized the need to evacuate doctors, patients, and evacuees taking shelter in northern Gaza hospitals, Hamas has denied using medical facilities for military purposes. Despite their denial, Israel claimed to kill a Hamas “terrorist” who allegedly impeded the evacuation of another hospital in the north. The World Health Organization expressed concern for those trapped in the hospital by the conflict and stated a loss of communication with the hospital contacts.
As the situation in Gaza worsened, Gaza’s border authority announced the reopening of the Rafah crossing into Egypt for foreign passport holders. Additionally, Jordan air-dropped more aid into a field hospital in the enclave. Both sides continued to report casualties, with Hamas asserting damage to over 160 Israeli military targets in Gaza, while Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the deaths of five more Israeli soldiers. Despite these developments, the conflict persisted, with continued rocket fire from Gaza into southern Israel.