ALBAWABA - Reports have emerged of Israeli forces releasing orders for Palestinians to evacuate an area close to Al Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in prep to storm the city in central Gaza.
Previously flagged as a "humanitarian zone", the Israeli army ordered the Palestinians to evacuate an area east of Deir el-Balah in central Gaza, near the only functioning hospital in Central Gaza.
The hospital's operators, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), stated that an explosion, approximately 250 meters away, caused panic among those who were taking refuge in the hospital's yard, with some of them choosing to flee.
In the statement, the MSF called for providing protection for the hospital, which has been operating beyond its capacity for weeks due to the lack of functioning medical facilities across the torn enclave.
"Al Aqsa has been operating well beyond capacity for weeks due to the lack of alternatives for patients. All warring parties must respect the hospital, as well as patients' access to medical care," the statement reads.
The MSF added that there were around 650 patients receiving treatment at Al Aqsa Hospital, and only 100 remain with 7 functioning intensive care units.
"The continued evacuation orders have left hundreds of thousands displaced people with a so-called 'humanitarian zone' of just 41 square km in which to seek shelter," the MSF added.
Al-Aqsa Flood operation against Israel
Hamas military group announced on Oct. 7 a military operation called "Al-Aqsa Flood" against Israel which is the biggest offensive in decades.
Palestinian fighters “infiltrated” Israel from the Gaza Strip and captured military bases and took hostages as photos and videos went viral online showing Hamas fighters on vehicles inside Israel and others paragliding into occupation territory.
In response, Israeli armed forces announced targeting Hamas positions inside the Gaza Strip. Thousands were killed, and dozens of thousands of others were injured in the Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip.
The latest statistics by the Ministry of Health in Gaza revealed that the death toll from Israeli brutal pounding on the Gaza Strip since October 7 has soared to 40,005+ people, with more than 92,401+ injuries.
Since then, approximately 85% of Gazans have been displaced, all of whom are suffering from severe food insecurity, and the healthcare system has collapsed. Hundreds of thousands of people lack shelter, and aid trucks are entering the area at a lower rate than before the conflict began.
