On Thursday, another Israeli airstrike hit at least 10 buildings in Deir Al Balah, a city in central Gaza. Sadly, as a consequence of this attack, 15 people including women and children lost their lives. The violence erupted in front of the Project HOPE health clinic, where residents lined up to receive medical care. The unexpected radiation exposure has caused great alarm to the plight of the safety of all healthcare facilities in the area.
The airstrike hit an area that is famous for being a hub of all sorts of critical medical services, such as the Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. Witness accounts suggest that the bodies of at least two children were left lying on the hospital floor after the strike. A Palestinian woman cradled her child while the dead and injured rushed into the compound. This powerful scene underscored the staggering human cost of the fighting.
Witness accounts indicated that a mob scene ensued around the clinic operated by Project HOPE. They arrived with need of care, including treatment for infectious disease, malnutrition, and chronic disease. The clinic serves as a vital resource for families in Deir Al Balah, where many rely on it for essential healthcare services. Rabih Torbay, the chief operating officer of Project HOPE, said he was heartbroken by the incident.
“Yet, this morning, innocent families were mercilessly attacked as they stood in line waiting for the doors to open,” – Rabih Torbay
The Israeli military said that the airstrike was only meant to hit a Hamas militant. This person played a major role in planning this group’s unprecedented assaults on October 7, 2023. They stressed that their use of operational receipts is meant to reduce harm to civilians.
“The (Israel Defense Forces) is aware of reports regarding a number of injured individuals in the area. The incident is under review. The IDF regrets any harm to uninvolved individuals and operates to minimize harm as much as possible,” – Israeli military
Local public health leaders sounded the alarm over the ongoing assault on healthcare infrastructures. Humanitarian organizations have become alarmed as violence has further deepened. For Dr. Mohammed Abu Mughaisib, the deputy medical coordinator for MSF, this has caused him to lose trust and be fearful. He represented Gaza’s population, such as those in Deir Al Balah, as “completely exhausted, shattered, tired.”
“Every day there are hundreds of people killed and injured when they are going (to the aid distribution points) to pick their food kits or parcels,” – Dr. Mohammed Abu Mughaisib
During the past two years, the Project HOPE health clinic has been a critical lifeline for dozens of families in the area.
“Project HOPE’s health clinics are a place of refuge in Gaza where people bring their small children, women access pregnancy and postpartum care, people receive treatment for malnutrition, and more,” – Rabih Torbay
According to Dr. Abu Mughaisib, food is becoming impossible to acquire in Gaza.
“In the market you don’t find food. I mean, the bakeries are closed,” – Dr. Mohammed Abu Mughaisib
The Israeli military continues to maintain that it notified its forces of the location of the Project HOPE clinic. This effort was meant to avoid harming civilians. Yet the most recent strike has once again opened up discussions about the fate of civilian lives during times of conflict.
