Israeli military personnel reportedly launched an assault on Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza on Friday, forcibly evicting staff and patients, according to officials from the Health Ministry. The Israeli Army claims that Hamas militants had turned the hospital into a tactical base, although they didn’t supply any supporting evidence for this allegation. In stark contrast, Gaza’s Health Ministry stated that fires were ignited in multiple sections of the hospital, including critical areas such as the laboratory and surgery unit.
The military maintained that only a small fire occurred in an unoccupied section of the hospital, denying any responsibility for gunfire that may have contributed to the blaze. In a separate incident in Israel, an 83-year-old woman was tragically killed in a stabbing attributed to a suspect from the West Bank, who was later apprehended by local authorities.
Early on Saturday, Israel’s military reported intercepting a missile targeted at its territory, allegedly fired by Yemen’s Houthi rebels. Following Israeli airstrikes that targeted infrastructure in Yemen just days earlier, these provocations are part of an escalating confrontation, with the Houthis vowing to continue their attacks on Israeli interests until a ceasefire in Gaza is reached.
Since the onset of the current conflict, the Health Ministry in Gaza has reported over 45,400 Palestinian fatalities, with a significant portion being women and children. Following Hamas’s attack on southern Israel on October 7, resulting in around 1,200 deaths and more than 250 hostages taken, the situation remains tense. Currently, approximately 100 hostages are still presumed to be held captive in Gaza, with concerns about their wellbeing.
In other updates, the United Nations highlighted that a missile fired by the Houthis was successfully intercepted en route to Israel, causing widespread alarm as sirens sounded in various regions including Jerusalem. The air defense system took action just after midnight. UN officials also recounted closely witnessing Israeli airstrikes on Yemen’s Sanaa airport that endangered a civilian flight, although no casualties were reported among the passengers.
In Gaza, the plight of displaced families living in makeshift camps along the coast is dire. The arrival of winter has increased the challenges they face, with families struggling to stay warm in flimsy tents. Muhammad al-Sous described the harsh reality of living right next to the beach, where high waves have claimed most of their belongings. The tragic loss of three infants due to exposure underscores the severity of the situation, prompting cries for help and adequate provisions.
Mass demonstrations took place in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, with thousands expressing solidarity with the Palestinian cause. Protesters voiced their disdain for the US and Israeli actions while waving various national flags, calling for an end to the conflict.
In the aftermath of Israeli strikes on Yemen, the World Health Organization confirmed that a high-level team, including a wounded air crew member, safely reached Jordan for further medical treatment. The UN’s head emphasized the critical humanitarian role of Yemen’s international airport, which had been damaged in the airstrikes.
Meanwhile, in Syria, there are reports of escalating tensions with insurgent groups parading through Damascus, showcasing their military strength following the overthrow of former President Bashar Assad. This unrest occurs amidst broader calls for unity across Syria against the dangers of sectarian divides in a country still reeling from years of conflict.
Overall, the geopolitical landscape remains fraught with conflict, with humanitarian crises on multiple fronts, calling for urgent attention and action from the international community.
