The main hospital in Gaza City, Al-Shifa, has become a symbol of the devastating war between Israel and Hamas. The Israeli invasion of Gaza has resulted in a high number of casualties and extensive damage, leaving Al-Shifa Hospital crippled and in desperate need of help. The hospital has large grounds, which initially attracted people seeking shelter and safety amid the chaos of the conflict. However, the situation has worsened as urgent humanitarian needs have emerged within the hospital.
One of the major issues affecting Al-Shifa Hospital is the scarcity of fuel. Israel had previously prevented fuel from entering the Gaza Strip, citing concerns that Hamas would misuse it. This lack of fuel has critically impacted the hospital’s ability to operate, even leading to claims that premature babies had to be removed from their incubators. However, the root cause is not the shortage of incubators but rather the lack of fuel to power essential generators. Although a relatively small amount of fuel was allowed on Wednesday, it was solely designated for United Nations (UN) lorries. The UN has been advocating for the entry of fuel to run generators at hospitals and water and sanitation facilities, but Israel has maintained a ban on this.
Various factors are converging at Al-Shifa Hospital, painting a distressing picture of the ongoing conflict. This situation is not limited to this specific hospital but exemplifies the broader war happening in Gaza. The international stance on the Israeli offensive has been undergoing a hardening in recent days, with countries like the US, UK, and France beginning to use language that signals a shift in tone. US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s statement, acknowledging the high number of Palestinian civilian casualties, epitomizes this changing sentiment.
Israel is well aware of this pattern, as it has been witnessed in past military operations. There are two clocks that dictate the duration of any military operation: the military clock, which determines how long Israel needs to achieve its objectives, and the diplomatic clock, which determines how long Israel’s allies will tolerate civilian casualties before demanding a halt. Due to the scale of casualties resulting from Hamas attacks on October 7, Israel believes it has more time than usual to continue its offensive with considerable force. Estimates suggest that the Israel Defense Forces will persist in this manner for a few more weeks, but pressure is building among Israel’s allies to modify the nature of the operation.
However, this does not necessarily translate into an immediate call for a ceasefire. The British and American governments have not yet formally requested a cessation of hostilities. While the situation at Al-Shifa Hospital highlights the urgent need for intervention, the broader war continues to unfold, and the ultimate resolution remains unclear. It is crucial for the international community to step up efforts to address the humanitarian crisis at Al-Shifa Hospital while simultaneously seeking a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
