Israeli Land Attack Operations Make 2 Hospitals In Gaza Stop Operating

JAKARTA - Gaza's Ministry of Health said two hospitals in Gaza City had been stopped by its services due to the escalation of Israeli ground attack operations and damage caused by continued Israeli bombings.

The ministry said the Al-Rantissian Children's Hospital was badly damaged a few days ago as a result of Israeli bombings. At the same time, the Ministry reported an Israeli attack around nearby Eye Hospital, which also forced the cessation of services there.

"The population deliberately and systematically targets the health care system in Gaza's gubernatorialTY as part of a genocide policy against the Gaza Strip," he said.

"No facility or hospital has a safe access route that allows patients and injured victims to achieve it," the ministry added.

There has been no immediate comment from Israel.

Nearly two years of war, Israel described Gaza City as Hamas' last stronghold. The Israeli military has destroyed housing blocks it says have used by the militant group since Israel launched a ground attack on the city this month.

On Monday, residents said Israeli tanks had advanced further into the Sheikh Radwan area and Jalan Jala in northern Gaza City, where the two hospitals were located, while in Tel Al-Hawa in the southeast, tanks had moved further to the western part of the city.

They said Israeli forces had used an explosive vehicle, which was detonated remotely, to blow up dozens of houses in both areas.

In a meeting on Monday at military headquarters in Tel Aviv with Israeli Defense Minister Katz and Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his determination to eliminate Hamas, secure the release of the remaining hostages, and ensure Gaza is no longer a threat to Israel.

The attack has alarmed the families of Israeli hostages who are still being held by Hamas in Gaza. Twenty of the 48 prisoners are estimated to be still alive.

Meanwhile, local health authorities said at least 25 people were killed by Israeli fire on Monday across the region, mostly in Gaza City.

Hamas' attack on October 7, 2023 on Israel killed 1,200 people, and another 251 were held hostage, according to Israeli tallies.

Israel's military operations over the past two years have killed more than 65,000 Palestinians, mostly civilians, according to Gaza's health authorities.

Israeli attacks have spread hunger, destroyed most buildings, and displaced most residents of the region, in many cases over and over again.