On Monday, the US ordered Israel to protect innocent medical staff and patients as Israeli forces stormed one hospital and put another under siege as they advanced deep into western Khan Younis in Gaza.
According to the residents, the bombardment from air, land, and sea was the most intense in southern Gaza since the war started in October.
On Monday, National security council spokesperson John Kirby said Israel had a right to defend itself. However, he added, "We expect them to do so in accordance with international law and to protect innocent people in hospitals, medical staff and patients as well, as much as possible."
Israeli troops advanced for the first time into Gaza's al-Mawasi district near the Mediterranean coast, west of Khan Younis, the main city in the territory's south. The Palestinians called the attack the bloodiest assault so far in January.
Ashraf al Qidra, a spokesman for the Gaza health ministry, told Reuters that they invaded al-Khair hospital and began arresting medical staff. The hospital is located inside the safe zone at Mawasi, where the Israeli military had said it would not carry out operations.
Israel remained silent about the situation in the hospital, and the military spokesperson's office provided no comment.
The Palestinian Red Crescent reported that Khan Younis Hospital, al-Amal, was surrounded by tanks and lost contact with the staff.
Tommaso Della Longa, spokesperson for the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, said they were worried about what was happening around their hospital.
Qidra claimed that at least 50 people were killed overnight in Khan Younis, while dozens were dead and injured and were out of reach of rescuers due to the sieges of medical facilities.
"The Israeli occupation is preventing ambulance vehicles from moving to recover bodies of martyrs and the wounded from western Khan Younis," he said.
Gazans Remains Displaced
Israel's newest phase of the war resulted in extended fighting into the last corners of the enclave packed with those fleeing bombardment. According to a Monday report from the Gaza health officials, at least 25,295 Gazans have been killed since October 7.
Most of Gaza's 2.3 million residents are now restricted to Rafah, just south of Khan Younis and north of Deir al-Balah. The residents were crammed into public buildings and camps of tents made of plastic sheets nailed to wooden frames.
Ahmad Shurrab, who fled Khan Younis with his family, has been displaced multiple times and said this was his seventh time.
Ahmad Abu-Shaweesh described sheltering in the Al-Aqsa University only to discover it was under attack. He shared that they barely made it out and were unprepared for the tanks at the university's gates.
Related Article : Khan Younis Hospital Hit by Bloodiest Assault of 2024
