Israel Attacks Ambulance in Gaza, Hamas Denies Militant Presence
In an unfortunate incident, an ambulance was targeted by Israel in Gaza City on Friday. Israel claimed that the ambulance was carrying militants, while health authorities in the Hamas-controlled area stated that it was evacuating wounded individuals from the besieged north to the safer south of the territory.
Ashraf al-Qidra, spokesperson for the health ministry in Gaza, revealed that the ambulance was part of a convoy leaving al-Shifa Hospital when it was struck by Israel. He mentioned that a significant number of people were killed and wounded in the attack, but did not provide specific figures. According to Qidra, the convoy of ambulances was targeted at multiple locations, including the al-Shifa Hospital gate and Ansar Square, which is approximately a kilometer away.
Israel’s military, on the other hand, claimed that it had identified and hit an ambulance that was being used by a Hamas terrorist cell in the battle zone. The military stated that several Hamas fighters were killed in the attack and accused the group of utilizing ambulances to transport both militants and weapons. However, no evidence was presented to support these allegations, although Israel mentioned that it intends to release additional information.
The Director-General of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, expressed his shock on social media regarding the reports of attacks on ambulances evacuating patients. He emphasized the importance of protecting patients, health workers, and medical facilities.
Earlier on Friday, Qidra announced that critically injured Palestinians who urgently required treatment in Egypt would be transported from besieged Gaza City to the south of the enclave using ambulances. This move comes after Israel ordered all civilians to leave the northern areas of Gaza and encircled the region, accusing Hamas of utilizing al-Shifa Hospital as a base for their command centers and tunnel entrances.
Hamas and al-Shifa hospital authorities have vehemently denied these allegations. Meanwhile, videos shared on social media, which have been verified by Reuters, showed the aftermath of the attack, with people lying in pools of blood next to the targeted ambulance and others rushing to provide assistance.
As tensions escalate in Gaza, the international community calls for the protection of civilians, medical facilities, and healthcare workers in the conflict zone. The situation remains volatile, and further developments are expected.
