Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza. City is reportedly “under complete siege,” with Israeli forces encircling it on all four sides, according to a senior official at the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza who spoke to reporters on Saturday.
The main hospital in Gaza is the target of ongoing hostilities, according to Médecins Sans Frontières, or Doctors Without Borders. According to the organisation, the ongoing bombing is making it impossible for patients and workers to evacuate and has stopped ambulances from picking up the injured.
A freelance writer reported that the situation is terrible, with food being rationed, medical personnel operating by candlelight, and other resources running low.
The Israeli army denied firing at the northern Gaza medical centre and denied claims the facility is under siege, saying it is involved in “ongoing intense fighting” with Hamas in the area of the hospital complex. Israel has volunteered to help with evacuations and stated that it is in communication with hospital administrators.Whether anyone was allowed to exit the hospital complex during the day has not been confirmed by the reporter.
headlines: main hospital in Gaza
Major protests: Around 300,000 people turned out for a large pro-Palestinian march in London on Saturday, when police said they arrested dozens of counter-protesters who were going for a clash with rally-goers. The London march was one in an increasing number of demonstrations calling for a ceasefire, including massive rallies in Brussels and Paris and a gathering outside US President Joe Biden’s Delaware home.
Saudi statement: Several officials, including Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, travelled to the Saudi capital of Riyadh for an emergency session to discuss the Gaza crisis. Raisi stated guests were there on behalf of the Islamic world to “save the Palestinians.” A final resolution released by the combined Arab and Islamic summit demands the halt of what it sees as Israel’s aggression on Gaza, as well as “war crimes and barbaric, brutal, and inhumane massacres.”
The Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, has declined the increasing number of appeals from around the world for a ceasefire, stating on Saturday that Israel will continue to fight Hamas “with all our force, with all our might.”
Hezbollah chief’s address: On Saturday, Hassan Nasrallah, the secretary general of the organization, stated in a speech that his organization will continue to put pressure on Israel as it tries to “impose submission” on the area. The formidable, Iran-backed paramilitary group has been dealing fire across the Lebanon-Israel border.
Humanitarian aid: The inhabitants of Gaza are being “choked” by constant shelling, a United Nations agency director warned on Saturday. According to the official, there are currently over 700,000 women, children, and men residing in UN shelters and institutions. The Palestine Red Crescent Society received 53 aid vehicles stocked with crucial supplies—including food, water, relief items, medical equipment, and medications—but no gasoline, the agency stated Saturday.
Rafah boder crossing: The General Authority for Crossings and Borders in Gaza said in a statement on Saturday that operations at the Rafah land border will resume on Sunday for the exit of foreign passport holders. The group will be confined to a pre-approved list.
Hostage talks: According to Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani on Saturday, talks to free more hostages held in Gaza since the Hamas attacks on October 7 are progressing positively, but the situation is still precarious and the ongoing bombardment of Gaza isn’t making things better.
