Importance Score: 78 / 100 🔴
Israeli Airstrike Damages Gaza City Hospital Amid Escalating Military Operations
A predawn Israeli airstrike in Gaza City on Sunday reportedly damaged a local hospital, according to the territory’s civil defense agency. This incident occurred as Israel intensified its military actions, seizing a corridor in the southern part of the war-affected Palestinian territory and signaling plans to broaden its military offensive.
No Immediate Reports of Casualties
Initial reports indicated no casualties from the hospital incident. The Israeli military stated to Agence France-Presse that they are currently examining the details of the event.
Al-Ahli Hospital Targeted After Evacuation Warning
The civil defense agency in the Hamas-controlled area reported that the Israeli air force struck a building within the Al-Ahli hospital, also known as the Baptist or Ahli Arab hospital, in Gaza City shortly after midnight.
According to the agency’s statement, the airstrike took place “minutes after the army issued a warning to evacuate this hospital building of patients, the wounded, and their attendants.” The statement further detailed, “The bombardment resulted in the destruction of the surgery building and the oxygen generation plant that serves the intensive care units.”
Hospitals Under International Protection
Hospitals, which are protected under international humanitarian law, have been repeatedly impacted by Israeli strikes within the Gaza Strip since the commencement of hostilities between Israel and Hamas in October 2023.
Security Corridor Established, Further Operations Anticipated
On Saturday, Israel announced the completion of a new security passage effectively isolating Rafah, a southern city, from the remainder of Gaza. Simultaneously, the military indicated imminent expanded operations across much of the coastal strip, further confining Palestinians into increasingly smaller regions.
Defense Minister Israel Katz stated, “Soon, IDF [Israel Defense Forces] operations will escalate and extend to additional areas throughout most of Gaza, and evacuation from combat zones will be necessary.”
Katz further added, “The IDF has now finalized its takeover of the Morag axis, which traverses Gaza between Rafah and Khan Yunis, transforming the entire zone between the Philadelphi Route [along the Egyptian border] and Morag into an Israeli security perimeter.”
Call to Remove Hamas
The Israeli statement urged Palestinians to act against Hamas and facilitate the release of remaining hostages, asserting, “This is the singular path to end the war.” As of now, there has been no immediate response from Hamas.
Troop Deployment and Evacuation Orders
Israeli forces deployed to the newly established Morag security corridor, named after a former Jewish settlement, last week. This followed widespread evacuation orders covering a significant portion of Rafah, suggesting a potential major ground operation.
The Rafah municipality condemned Israel’s actions as a “blatant violation of international legitimacy” in a released statement.
Pressure on Hamas and Gaza Blockade
Israel has announced its intention to seize considerable portions of Gaza to exert pressure on Hamas to release the remaining 59 hostages—24 of whom are believed to be alive—and to accept revised ceasefire proposals.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration has also enforced a month-long blockade on essential supplies including food, fuel, and humanitarian aid. This has resulted in severe shortages for approximately 2 million Palestinians residing in Gaza, a tactic labeled by rights organizations as a war crime.
Disputed Aid Entry and Corridor Control
Israel maintains that sufficient aid entered Gaza during a previous two-month ceasefire that ended last month, a claim disputed by aid organizations.
Netanyahu has described Morag as “a second Philadelphi corridor,” referencing the Gaza-Egypt border area under Israeli control since May 2024. Israel has also re-established control over the Netzarim corridor, effectively severing Gaza’s northern sector from the rest of the enclave.
These corridors, along with an expanded buffer zone established by Israel, grant it control over more than 50% of the territory.
Relocation Proposal and Palestinian Resistance
Katz mentioned a proposal, initially by Donald Trump, suggesting “voluntary” relocation options for Palestinians to other countries. Palestinians have rejected this proposal, affirming their resolve to remain in their homeland.
Neither Trump nor Israeli officials have specified consequences if Palestinians refuse relocation. However, Human Rights Watch and other groups have described the plan as potentially amounting to “ethnic cleansing,” defined as the forced displacement of a civilian population based on ethnicity.
Displacement and Ongoing Conflict
Numerous Palestinians have been displaced, residing in overcrowded tent encampments or amidst the ruins of their former residences, often experiencing repeated displacement due to Israeli evacuation directives issued since the Hamas-led attacks of October 7, 2023. These attacks resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths in Israel and triggered the current conflict.
On Saturday, Israel mandated evacuations east of Khan Younis ahead of anticipated military action. Military spokesperson Avichay Adraee stated that rocket launches into Israel had originated from these areas.
Concerns for Hostages
Hamas has stated that ongoing bombardment puts hostages at risk. The family of Edan Alexander, the last American hostage in Gaza, reacted to a recently released video showing him speaking under coercion.
“As you prepare for Passover, remember that true freedom is absent while Edan and the other 58 hostages remain captive,” the family expressed in a statement.
Rallies for Hostage Release
Families and supporters have continued to assemble in Tel Aviv, advocating for a resolution to secure the release of all hostages.
Background to the Conflict
The October 7, 2023, Hamas assault on southern Israel, resulting in 1,200 fatalities and approximately 250 captives according to Israeli figures, marked the beginning of the Gaza conflict—the most intense conflict between Israel and Palestinians in over seven decades.
Israel’s subsequent military response has resulted in over 50,000 deaths, predominantly civilians, according to the territory’s health ministry.