Siege
President Joe Biden emphasized the need to safeguard hospitals in the Gaza Strip as Israeli troops and tanks made a siege of hospitals. He also expressed a desire for Israel to take “less intrusive” actions as Israeli tanks approached the main hospital in the besieged enclave.
Speaking from the White House on Monday, Biden stated, “My hope is that there will be a reduction in actions affecting hospitals, and we are maintaining communication with the Israelis.”
He also mentioned ongoing efforts to secure a pause in hostilities to address the release of prisoners, with negotiations involving the Qataris.
Biden maintained a sense of optimism but underscored the imperative to protect hospitals.
Israel contends that Hamas uses hospitals for military purposes, sharing video and photos on Monday alleging weapons stored in the basement of Rantissi Hospital, a pediatric facility specializing in cancer treatment.
In response, Hamas denies these claims made by Israel.
US President Biden issued this statement as Israeli tanks sieged Gaza hospitals.
Israeli tanks positioned themselves at the entrances of Gaza City’s main hospital on Monday, marking it as a primary target in their effort to control the northern part of the Gaza Strip.
Inside Al Shifa Hospital, Gaza Health Ministry spokesperson Ashraf Al-Qidra reported that 32 patients, including three newborns, had died in the past three days due to the hospital’s siege and power shortages.
Approximately 650 patients remained inside, urgently seeking evacuation by the Red Cross or another neutral agency. Israel claims that the hospital sits atop tunnels used by Hamas fighters, with allegations of using patients as shields, while Hamas denies these accusations.
Dr. Ahmed El Mokhallalati, a surgeon at the hospital, stated via telephone, “The tanks are in front of the hospital. We are under full blockade. It’s a totally civilian area. Only hospital facilities, hospital patients, doctors, and other civilians stay in the hospital. Someone should stop this.”
The hospital has been severely impacted by bombings targeting water tanks, wells, and the oxygen pump. Dr. El Mokhallalati emphasized that the hospital is no longer a safe place for treating patients, and they are unintentionally harming patients by keeping them there.
Beyond the immediate crisis, there are growing concerns about the conflict spreading beyond Gaza, with increased clashes on Israel’s northern border with Lebanon and the United States launching airstrikes on Iran-linked militia targets in neighboring Syria.
King Abdullah of Jordan attributed the crisis to Israel’s denial of Palestinians’ “legitimate rights” and asserted that there could be no military solution.
The Israeli campaign, launched last month to eliminate Hamas after attacks on southern Israel, has resulted in a significant death toll and displacement of the Gaza population. The northern half of Gaza has been ordered to evacuate, with intense fighting concentrated around Al Shifa hospital.
Israeli forces, including tanks, snipers, and drones, are hindering movement within the hospital, creating a dire situation described as a “circle of death” by Gaza health ministry spokesperson Qidra.
