Israel shifts its military attention to the central and southern regions of Gaza

As Israeli forces and Palestinian militants engage in intensifying conflict, the central Gaza hospital is witnessing an exodus of medics, patients, and displaced individuals. This evacuation, reported on Monday, underlines the critical condition of a health system already ravaged by three months of warfare.

The withdrawal of Doctors Without Borders and other aid organizations from Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, citing safety concerns, has triggered widespread panic. Consequently, many have fled southwards, joining the hundreds of thousands seeking refuge from the besieged territory.

Israel’s military focus has recently shifted from northern Gaza to the central areas and the southern city of Khan Younis. Israeli officials assert that the conflict, ignited by Hamas’ October 7 attack, will persist as they aim to dismantle Hamas and recover numerous hostages.

The offensive has resulted in over 22,000 Palestinian casualties, displaced about 85% of Gaza’s 2.3 million inhabitants, and left a quarter of the population facing starvation. The massive destruction also poses the risk of escalating into a broader conflict involving Lebanon’s Hezbollah and other Iran-backed groups aligned with Hamas.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, currently in the region, is pressing for civilian protection measures from Israel, which has received significant U.S. military and diplomatic support. Despite international calls for a ceasefire, both the U.S. and Israel have declined.

Gaza’s overwhelmed medical facilities are struggling under the influx of the wounded and thousands seeking shelter. With only 13 of 36 hospitals partially operational, conditions are dire. Omar al-Darawi from Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital reports multiple recent strikes on the facility, leading to a mass departure and concentrating patients on a single floor for easier medical care.

As Israeli forces intensify their advance in central Gaza, more casualties are reported daily. The Health Ministry recorded 73 deaths and 99 injuries in just the last 24 hours. The World Health Organization described harrowing scenes during a recent visit, emphasizing the urgent need to end the violence.

Northern Gaza faces even harsher conditions, isolated since late October. With entire neighborhoods destroyed and severe shortages of essentials, the WHO has been unable to deliver supplies there for 12 days.

Despite the devastation, Israel continues to combat militants in the area. A recent airstrike in Jabaliya refugee camp destroyed a home, resulting in at least 70 fatalities. The Health Ministry struggles to maintain operations in the north, where search efforts are ongoing.

Jabaliya, a densely populated area initially established for 1948 Palestinian refugees, has been a center of intense conflict. The Health Ministry reports over 22,800 Palestinian deaths and 58,000 injuries since the war’s onset, with a majority being women and minors.

Israel attributes civilian casualties to Hamas’ operations in densely populated areas, though it seldom comments on specific strikes. The Israeli military claims to have eliminated around 8,000 militants, contrasting with its loss of 176 soldiers.

Blinken, meeting with Jordanian and Qatari leaders, emphasized the need for Israel to minimize civilian harm and allow aid into Gaza. However, his primary concern is preventing the conflict’s expansion.

Tensions along the Israeli-Lebanese border escalated following the assassination of a senior Hamas leader in Beirut. Hezbollah’s recent attacks, including a significant rocket barrage on an Israeli air base, are seen as responses to this event.

Israel has restrained its northern operations, but officials warn of potential war if diplomatic solutions fail. Hezbollah’s rocket attacks began following Hamas’ October 7 assault, which resulted in around 1,200 deaths in southern Israel and the capture of 250 hostages, over 100 of whom were released during a November ceasefire.

Hezbollah claims its attacks aim to alleviate Gaza’s plight, but a full-scale war could bring severe devastation to Lebanon.