Al-Shifa Hospital

Al-Shifa Hospital, properly known as Dar Al-Shifa Hospital, is the largest medical complex and central hospital in the Gaza Strip, located in the neighbourhood of northern Rimal in Gaza City in the Gaza Governorate. Originally a British Army barracks, the site was transformed into a healthcare facility, the Dar Al-Shifa or "house of healing", by the government of Mandatory Palestine in 1946. The hospital was expanded during the Egyptian administration of Gaza, and again under Israeli administration during the 1980s. In the 21st-century, the hospital has increasingly been caught up in conflicts. During the 2008–2009 Israel–Gaza conflict, much of the media coverage came from correspondents reporting from the hospital.

Quotes

• Reports of military incursion into Al-Shifa hospital are deeply concerning. We've lost touch again with health personnel at the hospital. We're extremely worried for their and their patients' safety.
  • Tedros Adhanom, as quoted in Sebastian, Clare; Salem, Mostafa (15 November 2023). "WHO chief says they "lost touch" with personnel at Al-Shifa hospital". CNN. 

• Someone contacted the director and said they have 200 litres of fuel. These 200 litres give less than an hour to run the generator ... This is a mockery towards the patients and children.
  • Ashraf Al-Qidra, as quoted in "Hamas suspends hostage negotiations amid claims that Israel is targeting hospitals". ABC News. 12 November 2023. 

• We are planning to bury them today in a mass grave inside the Al-Shifa medical complex. It is going to be very dangerous as we don't have any cover or protection from the [International Committee of the Red Cross], but we have no other option
  • Ashraf Al-Qidra, as quoted in "Israeli military raids Gaza's Al-Shifa Hospital complex, hundreds of patients remain trapped inside". CBC.ca. November 14, 2023. 

• Well, you know I have not been reluctant in expressing my concerns what’s going on. And it is my hope and expectation that there will be less intrusive action relative to the hospital. We’re in contact, and we’re — with — with the Israelis. Also, there is an effort to take this pause to deal the release of prisoners, and that’s being negotiated as well with — the Qataris are engaged and – So, I remain somewhat hopeful. But the hospital must be protected.
  • Joe Biden, Remarks by President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden Establishing the First-Ever White House Initiative on Women's Health Research. The White House (13 November 2023). Quoted in Haslett, Cheyenne; Crawford, Shannon K. (13 November 2023). "Biden says Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza 'must be protected' from Israel-Hamas fighting". ABC News. 

• I'm appalled by reports of military raids in Al Shifa hospital in #Gaza. The protection of newborns, patients, medical staff and all civilians must override all other concerns. Hospitals are not battlegrounds.
  • Martin Griffiths, as quoted in "Israel-Gaza updates: Al-Shifa hospital a ‘death zone,’ WHO says after visit". ABC News. November 20, 2023. 

• Israel is at war with Hamas, not with the civilians in Gaza. The IDF has publicly warned time and again that Hamas' continued military use of Shifa Hospital jeopardizes its protected status under the international law.
  • Daniel Hagari, as quoted in "IDF troops enter Al Shifa hospital as thousands of civilians and staff shelter inside". NPR. November 15, 2023. 

• Hamas has been systematically using hospitals in Gaza to run its terror machine. [...] Hamas built tunnels underneath hospitals, used them to command their operations… Hamas wages war from hospitals. This is the sick nature of the savage terrorists we are fighting.
  • Daniel Hagari, as quoted in Robertson, Nick (23 November 2023). "IDF claims tunnels prove command room under Gaza hospital". The Hill. 

• The offer belittles the pain and suffering of the patients who are trapped inside without water, food, or electricity.
  • Hamas, as quoted in "Hamas suspends hostage negotiations amid claims that Israel is targeting hospitals". ABC News. 12 November 2023. 

• Based on intelligence information and an operational necessity, IDF forces are carrying out a precise and targeted operation against Hamas in a specified area in the Shifa Hospital. The IDF is conducting a ground operation in Gaza to defeat Hamas and rescue our hostages. Israel is at war with Hamas, not with the civilians in Gaza. The IDF forces include medical teams and Arabic speakers, who have undergone specified training to prepare for this complex and sensitive environment, with the intent that no harm is caused to the civilians being used by Hamas as human shields. In recent weeks, the IDF has publicly warned time and again that Hamas' continued military use of the Shifa hospital jeopardizes its protected status under international law, and enabled ample time to stop this unlawful abuse of the hospital. Yesterday, the IDF conveyed to the relevant authorities in Gaza once again that all military activities within the hospital must cease within 12 hours. Unfortunately, it did not. The IDF has also facilitated wide-scale evacuations of the hospital and maintained regular dialogue with hospital authorities. We call upon all Hamas terrorists present in the hospital to surrender.
  • Israel Defense Forces, IDF Forces Are Conducting an Intelligence-Based Precise Operation in a Specified Area in the Shifa Hospital. www.idf.il (15 November 2023).

• Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad members operate a command and control node from Al-Shifa in Gaza City. [...] They have stored weapons there and they are prepared to respond to an Israeli military operation against that facility. [...] Hamas has deeply embedded itself within the civilian population. To be clear, we do not support striking a hospital from the air and we do not want to see a firefight in the hospital where innocent people, helpless people, sick people are simply trying to get the medical care that they deserve, not to be caught in a crossfire. Hospitals and patients must be protected. [...] As we have been clear on multiple occasions, Hamas's actions do not lessen Israel's responsibility to protect civilians in Gaza, and this is obviously something we're going to have an active conversation with our counterparts about.
  • John Kirby, as quoted in Baker, Graeme; Greenall, Robert (14 November 2023). "Israel-Gaza war: US says Hamas has command centre under Al-Shifa hospital". BBC. 

• We have information that Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad use some hospitals in the Gaza Strip, including Al-Shifa and tunnels underneath them to conceal and to support their military operations and to hold hostages. [...] We have information that confirms that Hamas is using that particular hospital for a command and control node and probably storage of equipment, weapons... That is a war crime.
  • John Kirby, as quoted in "Hamas has command center at Gaza hospital: White House". France 24. 14 November 2023. 

• The human tragedy that is unfolding in Gaza is heart-wrenching, especially the suffering we see in and around the Al-Shifa hospital. I have been clear that the price of justice cannot be the continued suffering of all Palestinian civilians. Even wars have rules. [...] All innocent life is equal in worth, Israeli and Palestinian. I urge the government of Israel to exercise maximum restraint. The world is watching on TV and social media. We’re hearing the testimonies of doctors, family members, survivors. Kids who’ve lost their parents. The world is witnessing this. The killing of women and children. Of babies. This has to stop.
  • Justin Trudeau, as quoted in Baxter, David (November 14, 2023). "Trudeau urges Israel to exercise ‘maximum restraint’ in Gaza". Global News. 

See also

• Al-Ahli Arab Hospital explosion