A recent visit to Al-Shifa hospital in northern Gaza revealed a devastating aftermath of an Israeli siege in March. The hospital complex was left in ruins, with open spaces now filled with graves. Dr. Athanasios Gargavanis, a WHO surgeon, described the scene as horrifying, with dust and rubble covering the once bustling medical facility.
During a World Health Organization-led mission on April 5, Dr. Gargavanis witnessed the extent of destruction firsthand. He recounted finding the remains of eight bodies, although the total number of casualties remains unknown as some bodies were buried under plastic sheets.
Dr. Gargavanis expressed shock at the sight of uncovered bodies and those covered with plastic sheets scattered around the hospital buildings. The chaos and devastation left a lasting impact on those who witnessed the aftermath of the siege.
Health workers in Gaza have reported exhuming corpses from mass graves in and around Al-Shifa hospital. The 14-day siege by the Israeli military resulted in widespread destruction and loss of life, with bodies reportedly strewn across the hospital complex.
Gaza’s Civil Defense faces challenges in determining the exact number of casualties due to the Israeli troops burying bodies inside and around the hospital complex. Additionally, nearby roads were bulldozed, further complicating the recovery and identification process.
Israel has long claimed that Hamas fighters use civilian locations such as mosques and hospitals as shelters to evade attacks. However, Hamas has consistently denied these allegations, emphasizing the civilian nature of the facilities targeted by Israeli forces.
