Israeli airstrikes in central Gaza early Sunday morning hit a school and mosque that had been converted into shelters, leading to a surge in casualties at the nearby Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) reported that the hospital received 53 injured patients and 22 bodies of those killed in the attack on the shelters in Deir Al-Balah.
An MSF nurse, Eliza Sabatini, described the chaotic scene at the hospital, with many patients arriving in critical condition with severe injuries. The hospital, already strained, struggled to accommodate all the patients, forcing medical staff to treat people on the floor.
Al-Aqsa hospital is highlighted as one of the few operational healthcare facilities in Gaza, according to MSF. The aid group has called for a ceasefire to alleviate the ongoing suffering in Gaza, where a significant portion of the patients treated during the conflict have suffered injuries from shelling.
Reports from hospital officials confirmed that at least 25 people lost their lives in the Israeli airstrikes that targeted the mosque and school. Heartbreaking footage from Al-Aqsa hospital captured a mother grieving over her deceased son, expressing her sorrow and love.
The Israeli military stated that the airstrikes were aimed at a Hamas 'command and control' center located within the compound. They claimed to have taken precautions to minimize civilian casualties.
