Israeli army pulls out of Gaza’s Al-Shifa hospital, leaving behind dozens of casualties

In a devastating turn of events, the Israeli army has withdrawn from the Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City after a two-week military operation, leaving behind a trail of destruction and dozens of deaths. According to Palestinian security medical sources, most of the hospital buildings were destroyed and rendered out of service.

The security sources revealed that medical and civil defence crews had to pull out decomposing bodies, including children, women, and medical staff from the hospital premises. The hospital’s infrastructure, including operating rooms, intensive care units, and refrigeration units, were intentionally destroyed by the Israeli army, making it impossible to resume operations soon.

On March 18, the Israeli army launched a large-scale military operation on the Shifa hospital, citing allegations of Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) using the hospital for military purposes. The army claimed to have killed and arrested several individuals, including leaders of the militant groups, and discovered weapons hidden within the hospital premises.

Al-Shifa complex, a vital health institution in Gaza Strip, has been severely affected by the Israeli military operation. The Hamas-run media office reported a significant number of casualties, with at least 400 Palestinians killed and 900 others arrested during the conflict. The statement also held Israel and the US accountable for the alleged atrocities committed in the besieged coastal enclave.

According to official figures, a total of 32,845 Palestinians have been killed and 75,392 wounded since the start of Israel’s retaliatory attack against Hamas in October 2023. In comparison, the Israeli death toll from the conflict stands at 1,139, with approximately 100 individuals still held hostage in Gaza. The situation remains tense as both sides grapple with the aftermath of the recent military operations in the region.