Europe adopts Israel’s account, blaming Hamas for the crisis in Gaza hospitals
Josep Borrell accuses Hamas of using hospitals and patients as human shields, despite the movement’s denial, stressing that international humanitarian law obliges the protection of hospitals, medical supplies, and civilians within health institutions.
On Sunday, the European Union condemned Hamas‘ use of “hospitals and civilians as human shields” in Gaza, urging Israel to exercise “maximum restraint” to protect civilians in the ongoing conflict.
Josep Borrell, the EU’s foreign policy chief, said in a statement that “the European Union expresses grave concern over the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza.” The plea came as Israel repeatedly bombards Al-Shifa Hospital, the largest medical facility in Gaza. Health officials affiliated with Hamas stated that one of the airstrikes on Sunday destroyed the hospital’s cardiology department.
The Palestinian Red Crescent announced that Al-Quds Hospital is now out of service due to a lack of necessary fuel to power the electricity generators. Israel denies deliberately targeting hospitals and accuses Hamas of using the health facilities or tunnels beneath them as shelters, which the Islamic movement refutes.
The EU statement added, ‘These combat operations are having a severe impact on hospitals, inflicting horrific losses on civilians and medical staff,’ emphasizing that ‘the European Union reaffirms the need to protect hospitals, medical supplies, and civilians within hospitals.’
The statement called for the immediate provision of the most urgent medical supplies to hospitals and the safe evacuation of patients in need of urgent medical care.
In this context, it urged Israel to exercise maximum restraint to ensure the protection of civilians. It affirmed, ‘The European Union condemns Hamas‘ use of hospitals and civilians as human shields,’ reiterating Brussels’ support for Israel’s right ‘to defend itself in accordance with international law and international humanitarian law.’
The European Union called for promptly providing ‘unhindered humanitarian corridors’ to allow aid to reach Gaza’s residents who have been suffering from shelling, displacement, severe water and food shortages, fuel scarcity, and shelter insufficiency for over a month. It also called on Hamas to release the 240 hostages held by its fighters during the October 7th attack on Israeli towns near Gaza, stating that allowing the International Committee of the Red Cross to access the hostages is ‘essential.’
It further added, ‘The European Union joins the calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities and the establishment of humanitarian corridors.’ Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Director-General of the World Health Organization, stated Sunday that the largest hospital in Gaza has ceased operations, and patient deaths are increasing, with Israel’s continued severe attacks on the sector.
He clarified that the organization managed to speak with health workers at Al-Shifa Hospital, who described the situation as ‘horrific and critical’ due to ongoing gunfire and shelling, aggravating already dire conditions.
In a post on Twitter, he stated, ‘It is regrettable that the number of patient deaths has significantly risen,’ adding that Al-Shifa ‘no longer operates as a hospital.’ Tedros joined other senior United Nations officials in calling for an immediate cessation of fire. He stated, ‘The world cannot stand idly by as hospitals, meant to be safe havens, are turning into scenes of death, destruction, and despair.’
Yousef Abu Alrish, Hamas-affiliated Ministry of Health representative in Gaza, announced ‘the death of six children in critical condition and 9 in the intensive care unit’ due to a power outage at Al-Shifa Hospital. Abu Alrish, present at Al-Shifa Hospital where thousands of evacuees sought refuge, indicated earlier Sunday in a previous toll ‘the death of five children in critical condition’ and ‘seven patients.’
The hospital reported on Saturday that 39 critically ill children remain at the facility. Over 11,078 people have been killed in the Israeli shelling in Gaza since the start of the war, including over 4,506 children, according to Hamas‘ Health Ministry.
In Israel, Hamas‘ attack resulted in nearly 1,200 deaths, mostly civilians killed on October 7th, according to the latest figures from Israeli authorities. The Israeli army estimates that over 240 individuals were taken hostage to Gaza following Hamas‘ attack, including at least 30 children, according to Israeli media sources.
