Gaza Hospital Targeted as War Toll Mounts \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ An Israeli airstrike on a field hospital in Gaza killed a medic and wounded nine others, including patients. The attack comes amid rising tensions and ongoing Israeli operations, with Prime Minister Netanyahu reaffirming his opposition to Palestinian statehood. The death toll in Gaza has surpassed 51,000, with nearly 90% of the population displaced.
Quick Looks
- Location: Kuwaiti Field Hospital in the Muwasi area, Gaza.
- Casualties: One medic killed, nine wounded—two critically.
- Context: Hundreds of thousands shelter near hospital in tents.
- Hamas Statement: Says it lost contact with Edan Alexander’s guard unit after a strike.
- Israel’s Position: No immediate military comment on the hospital strike.
- Netanyahu’s Stance: Rejected Palestinian statehood in call with Macron.
- Hospital Targeting: Israel has struck several hospitals during the 18-month war.
- Civilian Impact: Health workers claim civilians are being endangered.
- Casualties: Over 51,000 reported dead in Gaza, mostly women and children.
- Displacement: Around 90% of Gaza’s population is displaced.
Deep Look
A deadly Israeli airstrike struck the northern gate of the Kuwaiti Field Hospital in Gaza’s Muwasi region on Tuesday, killing a medic and injuring nine others, according to hospital officials. Among the wounded were both medical staff and patients, with two in critical condition, raising alarms about the intensifying humanitarian crisis in the war-torn territory.
The hospital, located near sprawling tent camps sheltering hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians, had been serving as a critical lifeline in southern Gaza. No immediate comment was issued by the Israeli military regarding the attack.
Ongoing Strikes on Medical Facilities
This incident follows a pattern of Israeli strikes on hospitals, which the military claims are being used by Hamas militants for cover or command centers. In contrast, medical personnel and humanitarian organizations have denied such claims, arguing that Israel is systematically degrading Gaza’s health infrastructure and endangering civilians.
Just days earlier, Israel struck Al-Ahli Hospital, the last major facility offering advanced care in northern Gaza, following an evacuation order. The emergency room and pharmacy were damaged, and a patient died during the forced evacuation. The Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, which runs the hospital, condemned the strike.
Israel stated it had targeted a Hamas command post at the facility but provided no public evidence. Hamas has denied the claim.
Netanyahu Reaffirms Opposition to Palestinian State
On the diplomatic front, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his staunch rejection of a future Palestinian state, calling it “a huge reward for terrorism.” The statement came during a phone call with French President Emmanuel Macron, who recently expressed support for recognizing Palestinian statehood by June.
Netanyahu argued that a Palestinian state would become a militant-run entity just miles from Israeli cities. Macron, in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), emphasized the need for a ceasefire, release of hostages, and restoration of humanitarian aid—though he did not mention Palestinian recognition in that particular post.
Ongoing Hostage Crisis and New Developments
Meanwhile, Hamas announced it had lost contact with the unit guarding Edan Alexander, a 21-year-old Israeli-American soldier recently shown in a video. The militant group said a direct strike hit the location where he was being held and that efforts to reestablish contact were ongoing.
The uncertainty around Alexander’s status adds to the complexity of the war, which began on October 7, 2023, when Hamas-led militants killed around 1,200 Israelis, mostly civilians, and abducted 251 people. As of this week, 59 hostages remain in Gaza, 24 of whom are believed to be alive.
Gaza Casualties and Displacement
According to the Gaza Health Ministry, over 51,000 people have been killed since Israel launched its retaliatory campaign. This includes more than 1,600 deaths in just the past month, following the collapse of a temporary ceasefire. The ministry, though part of the Hamas-run government, is staffed by health professionals and is widely considered credible by UN agencies and independent experts. Israel disputes the figures but has not provided its own breakdown.
The ministry states that women and children make up over half the fatalities. The war has devastated Gaza’s infrastructure, with around 90% of its 2 million residents now displaced.
Global Push for Palestinian Recognition
Internationally, momentum continues to build toward a two-state solution, widely seen as the only long-term path to peace. France, Spain, and several other European nations have voiced support for recognizing a Palestinian state. France aims to make such recognition official by June, ahead of a planned international peace conference with Saudi Arabia.
Israel, however, remains opposed. Netanyahu’s government, emboldened by far-right factions, rejects any future statehood arrangement, further dimming the prospects for renewed peace talks.
The last meaningful negotiations collapsed in 2014, and no substantive peace dialogue has occurred since Netanyahu returned to office in 2009.
Key Takeaways:
- Israeli airstrike killed a medic and wounded nine others at Gaza’s Kuwaiti Field Hospital.
- Hamas lost contact with guards of Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander after an airstrike.
- Netanyahu rejected Palestinian statehood in talks with France’s Macron.
- Gaza’s death toll has exceeded 51,000, with women and children making up the majority.
- Humanitarian infrastructure continues to collapse as Israel targets hospitals and shelters.
- 90% of Gaza’s population is displaced, and calls for ceasefire and aid are growing louder internationally.
- European countries signal support for recognizing a Palestinian state by mid-2025.
Gaza Hospital Targeted Gaza Hospital Targeted
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