What's happened
Israeli military operations have escalated, targeting Kamal Adwan Hospital in Jabaliya, Gaza, leading to significant injuries among medical staff and patients. The health ministry reports that the hospital is one of the few still operational, facing continuous bombardment amid claims of Hamas presence in medical facilities.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to Isabel Debre from The Independent, Israeli military operations have besieged at least 10 hospitals in Gaza, claiming military necessity due to alleged Hamas activities. However, the Associated Press found little evidence supporting these claims, highlighting a lack of significant Hamas presence in targeted facilities. Hiba Yazbek from The New York Times reported on the dire conditions at Kamal Adwan Hospital, where medical staff are unable to reach injured colleagues due to ongoing shelling. This stark contrast in reporting underscores the contentious nature of the conflict and the humanitarian implications of military actions.
How we got here
The conflict has intensified since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel, prompting a severe Israeli military response. Over the past year, hospitals in Gaza have been repeatedly targeted, with claims that Hamas uses them for military purposes, a point disputed by medical officials.
More on these topics
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Hamas is a Palestinian Sunni-Islamic fundamentalist militant organization. It has a social service wing, Dawah, and a military wing, the Izz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades.
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Israel, formally known as the State of Israel, is a country in Western Asia, located on the southeastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea and the northern shore of the Red Sea.
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The United Nations is an intergovernmental organization that aims to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be a centre for harmonizing the actions of nations.