Jumoke Olasunkanmi
The United Nations International Children Fund (UNICEF) has raised concerns that premature babies are dying in Al Shifa hospital, the largest in northern Gaza Strip, due to loss of power in the facility.
It called for a ceasefire, stating that children and hospitals must be protected.
“Al Shifa hospital in Gaza is without power, and we are seeing deeply worrying reports of premature babies dying in incubators. Children and hospitals must be protected,” UNICEF stated in a post on X on Sunday.
However, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has denied Palestinian claims that the medical facility is under siege or that those inside are trapped. Despite the ongoing hostilities, the IDF asserts that troops are making significant achievements against Hamas on the ground.
In a press conference held on Saturday, IDF Spokesman, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, addressed the situation, dismissing what he referred to as “false reports” about the IDF targeting Shifa Hospital and striking Gaza hospitals. He emphasised that the IDF does not strike hospitals but is engaged in combating terrorists operating in close proximity to Shifa Hospital.
“There has been a lot of misinformation from Gaza today. So I want to clarify the facts. There is no siege, I repeat no siege, on Shifa Hospital. The east side of the hospital is open for the safe passage of Gazans who wish to leave the hospital,” Hagari stated.
Moreover, the IDF announced that it had been asked by Shifa Hospital staff to assist in the transfer of babies in the pediatric department to a safer hospital. Hagari assured that the IDF would provide the necessary assistance on the following day.
“The staff of Shifa Hospital has requested that tomorrow we will help the babies in the paediatric department to get to a safer hospital. We will provide the assistance needed,” he affirmed.
