Israeli airstrikes struck two hospitals in Gaza City on Monday morning, hitting the Al-Shifa and Al-Quds medical complexes in what the Israel Defense Forces described as a precision operation targeting senior Hamas commanders. The strikes killed at least 38 people, including medical staff and patients, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, and wounded more than 100. The IDF stated that the targeted individuals were using the hospitals as command centres, a claim Hamas has denied.
The Al-Shifa hospital, Gaza's largest, sustained significant damage to its emergency department and a neighbouring surgical wing. Video footage verified by international news agencies showed collapsed ceilings and shattered windows, with medical personnel rushing to evacuate patients on stretchers through debris-strewn corridors. The World Health Organization condemned the strikes, calling them a violation of international humanitarian law that protects medical facilities during conflict.
This escalation comes after weeks of heightened tensions following the collapse of ceasefire negotiations in Cairo. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the operation was necessary to dismantle Hamas's military infrastructure. “We will not tolerate the use of civilian shields by terrorist organisations,” he said in a statement. “Every hospital used for military purposes forfeits its protected status.”
Human rights groups have warned that the strikes could constitute war crimes. “Targeting a hospital is unlawful unless it is being used for hostile acts, and even then the principles of proportionality and precaution must be observed,” said a spokesperson for Amnesty International. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that more than 1,200 people, including displaced families, were sheltering in Al-Shifa at the time of the attack.
The civilian toll has drawn international condemnation. The European Union's foreign policy chief called for an immediate independent investigation, while the United States expressed deep concern but stopped short of criticising Israel, reaffirming its right to self-defence. The Arab League convened an emergency session, accusing Israel of collective punishment.
On the ground, medical supplies are running critically low. The Gaza Health Ministry said it has only three days of fuel left for generators, and hospitals are overwhelmed with casualties. The International Committee of the Red Cross urged all parties to allow safe passage for ambulances and medical teams.
This incident marks a significant deterioration in the conflict, which began six months ago after a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel killed 1,200 people and saw 250 taken hostage. Israel's subsequent military campaign in Gaza has killed over 35,000 Palestinians, according to the enclave's health authorities. The targeting of hospitals raises questions about the sustainability of international support for Israel's operations and the prospects for a diplomatic resolution.
