Amid growing criticism from the international community as civilian casualties are rapidly increasing due to intensifying fighting in the Gaza Strip, Palestine, Israel and Hamas are engaged in a truth battle on the 12th (local time) over responsibility for civilian casualties in hospitals. Hamas accuses Israel of causing the worst humanitarian crisis due to Israeli airstrikes targeting hospitals and the paralysis of medical facilities, while Israel counters by saying that Hamas is blocking the provision of fuel to hospitals.
The United States is concerned that the humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip could be a negative factor in negotiations for the release of hostages. They are also in open conflict with Israel over future governance plans for the Gaza Strip.
The controversial medical facility is Al-Shifa Hospital, the largest medical institution in Gaza City. As cases of patient deaths, including premature babies in incubators, continue, Israel and Hamas are shifting responsibility to each other. In particular, there are conflicting opinions regarding fuel support for hospital operation. It is reported that thousands of patients and medical staff are currently staying at this hospital, which has been cut off from drinking water and power.
The Israeli military said in a statement that day, “We supplied 300 liters of fuel to Al-Shifa Hospital for emergency medical purposes, but Hamas prevented it from receiving it,” adding, “After prior coordination with the (Gaza Strip) authorities, we placed a fuel canister near the hospital, but did not take it.” . “There is evidence that Hamas blocked the receipt of fuel,” he said. On the same day, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also claimed on NBC, “Last night (the 11th) we offered to provide the fuel needed to operate hospitals and incubators, but Hamas refused.”
In response, Hamas said, “We have never refused to provide fuel. The proposal downplays the suffering of patients trapped in hospitals without water, food or electricity. Moreover, that amount of fuel is not enough to run the hospital generator for 30 minutes.”
There are conflicting opinions about whether Al-Shifa Hospital is functioning properly. According to Reuters, the World Health Organization (WHO) said that Al Shifa Hospital’s functions were paralyzed, putting thousands of patients in crisis. On the other hand, Israeli President Yitzhak Herzog said in an interview with the BBC that day, “Al Shifa Hospital has electricity and everything is working.”
The conflict over Al-Shifa Hospital is also having an impact on hostage release negotiations. Foreign media outlets reported that Hamas halted negotiations for the release of hostages that had been mediated by Qatar, taking issue with Israel’s response to the hospital.
The United States and Israel clashed openly over the Gaza Strip governance plan and hostage release negotiations. White House National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said on CBS on the 12th, “We want to see the West Bank and Gaza reconnected and unified under Palestinian leadership,” and emphasized, “Ultimately, it is the Palestinian people who decide the future.” did.
Adviser Sullivan also emphasized the four basic principles of the United States and made clear his opposition to Prime Minister Netanyahu’s statement the previous day that “we cannot give up security control over the Gaza Strip.” The four principles are: △ no reoccupation of the Gaza Strip by Israel; △ no forced migration of Palestinians (e.g. migration of Gaza residents out of the Gaza Strip); △ no use of the Gaza Strip as a base for future terrorist forces; and △ no ‘territory’ of the Gaza Strip. ) ‘Reduction’ is not possible, etc.
Then, on the same day, Prime Minister Nenatyah appeared on NBC and said, “The Gaza Strip must be demilitarized and freed from radical forces,” and added, “I have not seen any Palestinian organization, including the Palestinian Authority, that can do this.” The Biden administration has repeatedly insisted on the non-existence of the Palestinian Authority, which it supports as the future ruling force in the Gaza Strip.
Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin announced that the U.S. military carried out precision bombings on weapons depots and command and control centers in two cities in eastern Syria that are used by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and others. This was the third airstrike since the war between Israel and Hamas began last month, and the United States said it was retaliation for attacks by Iranian-backed militant groups on U.S. bases in Syria and Iraq. Lebanese news channel Al-Mayadeen reported on the 13th that a US soldier was killed in a rocket attack on a US military base in Syria.
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Source: Donga
Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.