Israel Sets Evacuation Deadline for Al-Quds Hospital in Gaza City
Israel Demands Evacuation
Israel has issued an ultimatum to the Palestinian Red Crescent Society. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society received an evacuation order from Israeli forces. The order specified a new deadline, set for 1300 GMT, as stated in an official communication.
Notably, an initial evacuation deadline had initially been slated for 0300 GMT but was subsequently extended.
As many as "12,000 displaced people, including 70% children and women, are in imminent danger after Israeli forces threatened to bomb Al-Quds Hospital and demanded evacuation," the humanitarian organization said on X.
PRCS Statement
Humanitarian Mandate vs. Evacuation Order
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society has invoked its humanitarian mandate, emphasizing its commitment to continuing the provision of critical medical services. These services include the care of the sick and wounded, encompassing patients in critical conditions within the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and infants in incubators. Furthermore, the hospital shelters hundreds of civilians who have sought refuge within its walls.
Refusal to Abandon Patients and the Vulnerable
In the face of mounting pressure to evacuate, the Palestinian Red Crescent Society asserts that it cannot abandon its patients and those in need of medical assistance. Notably, tens of thousands of Palestinians in the northern Gaza Strip have adamantly refused to leave their homes and shelters. Their reliance on the health services offered by Al-Quds Hospital adds to the urgency of preserving its operations.
Outside Al-Quds Hospital
A Plea to the International Community
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society has called upon world leaders, the international community, the United Nations system, and the International Movement of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to intervene. They are urged to influence Israel to rescind the evacuation order and, crucially, to ensure the protection and safety of the hospital facilities, medical teams, and humanitarian missions. This plea is grounded in international law and the principles outlined in the Geneva Conventions.
Al-Quds Hospital: A Vital Lifeline
Al-Quds Hospital, located in northern Gaza, has found itself in the line of fire due to Israeli air raids since the outbreak of recent hostilities. With the hospital now facing the imminent threat of bombardment, the lives of over 400 patients and the well-being of 12,000 displaced individuals, who have sought refuge there, hang in the balance.
Gazans help the injured in Israeli airstrikes, October 10, 2023
UNRWA's Parallel Evacuation Order
Parallel to the evacuation order issued to Al-Quds Hospital, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) has been directed to evacuate five schools in Gaza City. These schools are in close proximity to the hospital, raising concerns about the safety of these educational facilities.
A Perpetually Tense Situation
The situation in Gaza remains fraught with tension, as casualties continue to mount due to Israeli airstrikes since the conflict's initiation. The urgency of addressing the evolving humanitarian crisis is paramount, and international intervention is imperative to safeguard lives and uphold the principles of international law.
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