As ‘a weapon of war’
place large numbers of people and obstruct aid operations, the results would be catastrophic.
“In failing to change course, it is culpable for these deaths,” he said.
EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell said it was up to Israel to facilitate more aid.
“Israel has to do it. It is not a question of logistics. It is not because the United Nations has not provided enough support,” he said. “Trucks are stopped. People are dying, while the land crossings are artificially closed.”
began before dawn, when Israeli forces backed by tanks and artillery surrounded the complex and troops stormed into a number of buildings.
“We’re trapped inside,” said Abdelhady Sayed, who has been sheltering in the facility for months. “They fire at anything moving.”
In the evening, he said tanks were still in the hospital yard, and he could see three bodies outside the gates. “We can’t retrieve the dead,” he said.
Gaza’s Health Ministry said about 30,000 people are sheltering at the hospital, including patients, medical staff and people who have fled their homes seeking safety.
The war has displaced about 80 of Gaza’s population.
Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, the chief Israeli military spokesperson, said senior Hamas militants had regrouped in the hospital and were directing attacks from inside.
Aid groups say Israeli strikes on police are one reason public order has collapsed, leading to desperate Palestinians overwhelming aid trucks on the road.
Hagari said the patients and medical staff could remain in the medical complex and that safe passage was available for civilians who wanted to leave.
The Gaza Health Ministry said yesterday at least 31,726 Palestinians have been killed in Israel’s offensive.
The ministry doesn’t differentiate between civilians and combatants in its count, but it says women and children make up two-thirds of the dead.
Palestinian militants killed some 1200 people in Hamas’ October 7 attack into southern Israel that triggered the war, and took another 250 people hostage. Hamas is still believed to be holding about 100 captives, as well as the remains of 30 others, after most of the rest were freed during a ceasefire last year.