The Al Amal Hospital in Khan Younis, located in southern Gaza, has been declared 'out of service' after the Israeli military compelled medical staff to evacuate the facility, as reported by the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) on Tuesday.
According to the PRCS statement, the occupation forces not only forced the hospital teams to evacuate but also sealed off its entrances with earthen barriers. At least 27 PRCS staff members and six patients were evacuated from the hospital with assistance from the United Nations Office for Humanitarian Affairs. Additionally, the bodies of two individuals who had tragically lost their lives inside the hospital were part of the evacuation process.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated on Tuesday that they are engaged in ongoing operational activities in the areas of Al Amal and Al-Qarara, targeting terrorists and conducting raids on terrorist infrastructure. However, the source mentioned in the report cannot independently verify the IDF's statement.
On Sunday, the PRCS revealed that Israeli forces had injured displaced individuals seeking shelter at the hospital, some of whom later succumbed to their injuries. It is crucial to note that hospitals are considered protected civilian objects under international humanitarian law. Attacking hospitals is generally illegal, except in rare circumstances. A hospital may lose its protected status only if it is used by an armed group for activities deemed 'harmful to the enemy.'
Even if a hospital loses its special protected status, the wounded and sick individuals inside are still safeguarded by the principle of proportionality. Prior warning must be issued, and sufficient time for safe evacuation must be provided before any attack is carried out.
