The director of al-Shifa Hospital, Gaza’s largest medical facility, has been detained by Israeli forces along with other Palestinian medical personnel. This raises grave concerns over the targeting of healthcare workers in the besieged territory.
Muhammad Abu Salmiya, the director of al-Shifa Hospital, was arrested by Israeli troops for interrogation regarding suspected links between hospital management and Hamas. The Israeli military stated that the hospital was serving as a Hamas command center under Salmiya’s leadership. Along with the director, a doctor and two nurses from the hospital’s staff were also detained.
Palestinian health officials confirmed the arrests and detentions. Gaza’s health ministry said the medical workers were traveling in a World Health Organization convoy carrying patients when they were apprehended at an Israeli checkpoint. The ministry is demanding an explanation from WHO regarding the exact circumstances and urges the immediate release of the detained hospital staff.
In response, Hamas issued a strong condemnation of the arrests, calling on international organizations like the Red Cross to advocate for the medical personnel’s prompt release. Critics highlighted that the recent detentions follow cases of Israeli forces arresting Palestinian paramedics and journalists, eroding principles of immunity for civilians in conflict zones. Additionally, you can also read about- Israel and Hamas Agree to Qatar-Mediated Hostage Swap Deal in Gaza
The al-Shifa Hospital compound has been an Israeli military target over suspicions that Hamas utilizes underground tunnel networks below the medical facility. Both the Israeli army and hospital authorities reject these allegations. With bombing continuing across Gaza, the Indonesian Hospital in the north also faces grave risks and has been ordered to evacuate patients by occupying Israeli troops. The targeting of hospitals and medical transport remains an acute concern for Gazans needing emergency care amidst wartime hostilities.
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