In a recent video message delivered in Arabic, an Israeli military official categorically denied allegations that Israeli forces have been firing upon al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza. The official addressed the ongoing clashes between Hamas fighters and Israeli forces, emphasising that the hospital is not a target. He further assured the public that individuals seeking evacuation can do so safely from the east side of the compound.
The comments made by the Israeli military official come as a response to alarming reports by the director of al-Shifa Hospital, Muhammad Abu Salmiya, and Dr Youssef Abu al-Reesh, the deputy director of the Gaza health ministry. In an interview with Al Jazeera, they described the dire situation within the hospital, stating that it is under constant threat from artillery shelling and sniper fire targeting anyone attempting to move within or leave the compound.
Meanwhile, the UN agency OCHA has released shocking figures highlighting the escalating violence. According to their reports, Israeli forces have been responsible for the deaths of 168 Palestinians, including 46 children, since October 7 in the occupied West Bank. Additionally, eight more Palestinians, including a child, were killed by Israeli settlers in occupied East Jerusalem. OCHA states that these casualties constitute 42 per cent of all Palestinian fatalities in 2023. The agency also documented 233 settler attacks against Palestinians, resulting in casualties, damage to Palestinian-owned property, or both.
The frequency and severity of these incidents have raised serious concerns. OCHA has observed a steady rise in the number of incidents, with an average of seven occurring daily compared to three since the beginning of the year. Worryingly, Israeli forces were found to be accompanying or actively supporting the attackers in nearly half of these incidents.
Amidst this tense atmosphere, Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah announced an “upgrade” in the organization’s operations along its front with Israel. In a televised address, Nasrallah stated that there has been a quantitative improvement in the number, size, and targets of Hezbollah operations. He also confirmed the use of a missile known as the Burkan, with an explosive payload ranging between 300kg and 500kg. Notably, he mentioned the launch of weaponised drones for the first time by the group. Nasrallah declared that the recent attack on the Israeli town of Kiryat Shmona was in retaliation for the killing of three girls and their grandmother earlier in the month. He emphasised that this front would remain active.
