Israel Conducts Another Raid on Gaza's Main Hospital Amid UN Warning of Impending Famine in North

Israeli forces conducted a raid on Monday at Gaza Strip's largest hospital, Shifa Hospital, claiming that Hamas militants had regrouped there and were firing at them from within the compound. The hospital, which Palestinian officials estimate is sheltering tens of thousands of people, was surrounded by Israeli forces backed by tanks and artillery. The United Nations food agency warned of an imminent famine in northern Gaza, where over 200,000 people are facing severe hunger.

The World Food Program expressed concerns that a further escalation of the conflict, now in its sixth month, could push nearly half of Gaza's population to the brink of starvation. This recent raid at Shifa Hospital comes after a previous raid in November, where the Israeli army alleged that Hamas was operating a command center within and beneath the facility. Critics accused the army of endangering the lives of civilians during the previous raid.

Abdel-Hady Sayed, a person seeking shelter at the hospital, described the situation as dire, with Israeli forces firing at anything that moved inside the medical complex. Reports from Gaza's Health Ministry indicated that around 30,000 people, including patients and medical staff, were taking refuge at the hospital. Rear Adm.

Daniel Hagari, the chief Israeli military spokesperson, stated that the army conducted a high-precision operation targeting parts of the hospital complex where senior Hamas militants were believed to be coordinating attacks. Aerial footage released by the army showed militants firing at Israeli forces from inside the hospital. The ongoing conflict has severely impacted Gaza's healthcare infrastructure, with most medical facilities facing closures due to a lack of fuel and supplies.

The Gaza Health Ministry reported a high number of casualties, with over 31,000 Palestinians killed in the war, including women and children. Israel accuses Hamas of using hospitals and other civilian facilities as shields for its fighters, leading to repeated raids on medical centers. The international community, including the United States, Egypt, and Qatar, has been involved in efforts to broker a cease-fire and secure the release of hostages held by Hamas.

Despite humanitarian aid efforts, Gaza's population continues to suffer from starvation and malnutrition. The EU foreign policy chief, Josep Borrell, condemned the use of starvation as a weapon of war and called for increased efficiency in aid distribution. The situation in northern Gaza, which bore the brunt of the invasion and widespread destruction, remains critical.

Aid groups emphasize the urgent need for Israel to open up more ground routes to address the mounting humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The international aid group Oxfam criticized Israeli authorities for hindering aid distribution and causing delays at border crossings. The organization highlighted the challenges of delivering essential goods, such as oxygen, incubators, and sanitation equipment, due to obstacles imposed by Israeli authorities.

As the conflict in Gaza persists, the plight of civilians caught in the crossfire remains a top concern for the international community. Efforts to secure a lasting peace agreement and address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continue to face significant challenges.