Dozens of patients and injured individuals have been transferred for medical care outside of the Gaza Strip, which has been severely affected by ongoing conflict. The United Nations reports that Israel’s bombardments around hospitals have brought the local health care system to a critical state. On Tuesday morning, 45 patients departed from the European Hospital in Khan Younis, crossing into Israel via the Kerem Shalom Crossing. They are set to receive medical attention in the United Arab Emirates. Among those evacuated was a 10-year-old boy named Abdullah Abu Yousef, who is battling kidney failure. Unfortunately, his mother, Abeer Abu Yousef, had her request to accompany him denied by Israeli authorities, who stated they conduct security screenings for possible escorts. “The boy is ill,” she expressed, emphasizing his need for hemodialysis several days a week.
According to the Health Ministry, there are thousands of Palestinians in Gaza requiring medical assistance abroad. Israel has maintained control over all border access points since it captured Rafah in May. The current military actions commenced in response to Hamas’ assault on October 7, 2023, and have severely damaged the healthcare infrastructure, forcing most hospitals to shut down and leaving operational ones unable to function fully.
In the latest developments, the head of the U.N. agency assisting Palestinian refugees reported that at least 745 people have died and more than 2,200 have been injured in their facilities since the conflict began. Philippe Lazzarini disclosed via social media that approximately 650 incidents have been recorded involving attacks on U.N. structures, with over two-thirds of schools and buildings affected.
From the start of the Israeli offensive, which was prompted by Hamas’ initial attacks, 258 U.N. staff members have been killed, with at least 20 detained by Israeli forces. Lazzarini pointed to persistent reports of Hamas and other militant groups utilizing U.N. facilities, and noted multiple instances of Israeli Defense Forces occupying its premises. UNRWA plays a critical role in providing essential services to a large Palestinian population in the region and has been vital in humanitarian efforts during the Israel-Hamas conflict. Israel has accused the agency of being infiltrated by Hamas sympathizers and recently enacted legislation that will prohibit UNRWA from operating in Israel within 90 days. UNRWA, however, contends it remains neutral and swiftly addresses any staff misconduct.
Additionally, World Central Kitchen, a humanitarian organization, has undertaken measures to adapt to new Israeli security protocols for its employees in Gaza in order to continue their feeding operations. This shift follows an Israeli airstrike on November 30 that resulted in casualties, including a WCK worker, whom Israeli officials accused of association with Hamas. Following this incident, Israeli authorities requested a review of World Central Kitchen’s hiring practices, including security evaluations.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made a surprising return to parliament less than two days after undergoing prostate surgery, to vote on part of the country’s budget amidst a crisis within his coalition. Reports indicate that Netanyahu defied medical advice to secure a majority on a budget measure essential to cover an estimated $2.7 billion deficit. The coalition faced dissent from far-right factions dissatisfied with aspects of military conscription.
In military developments, the United States has targeted facilities in Yemen connected to the Houthi rebels with airstrikes, striking both command and operational sites linked to Iranian-held missile production. The strikes addressed ongoing threats against U.S. interests from Houthi attacks on shipping in critical waterways.
In a significant acknowledgment, Israel admitted to executing operations against Hamas leaders, including the assassination of Saleh Arouri, a high-ranking member, earlier this year in Lebanon. This activity has demonstrated Israel’s commitment to combating Hamas in the broader regional conflict.
France has also taken military action, conducting airstrikes against Islamic State positions in Syria, marking a re-engagement since the ouster of President Bashar Assad. This operation is in line with France’s participation in international efforts against IS, which began nearly a decade ago.
Reports indicate that Israel’s Shin Bet security service arrested approximately 2,500 Palestinians in Gaza over the course of this year, alleging that some of these arrests were linked to the recovery of kidnapped individuals taken during the conflict’s onset. In the West Bank, similar actions led to the detainment of thousands of individuals suspected of militant activities, despite reports from humanitarian organizations highlighting the severe treatment of detainees under Israeli custody.
Amid winter conditions, heavy rains have worsened the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, as many inhabitants, displaced from their homes, struggle with inadequate shelter. The United Nations has reported that extreme cold weather has resulted in tragic fatalities among infants, intensifying the distress faced by those living in temporary accommodations as they grapple with flooded living conditions.
The U.N. Human Rights Office has expressed deep concern regarding Israel’s military actions near hospitals, suggesting a potential violation of international law and significant threats to the healthcare system in Gaza. Ongoing military engagements have led to multiple hospital closures and significant impacts on patient care amidst the chaos. Despite Israeli claims that militants are misusing medical facilities, the U.N. stressed the need for clear evidence to satisfy legal standards surrounding these allegations. The humanitarian implications of the conflict, which has left many in desperate conditions, continue to escalate as the war drags on.
