courtesy: The New Arab
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Israeli forces have ordered doctors, patients and displaced people at Al-Shifa hospital to evacuate the hospital premises, forcing some to leave on gunpoint, reported Al Jazeera, citing statements from doctors and Palestinian officials.
Doctors claimed that the facility, which has been under siege by Israeli troops for several days, is now deserted as the soldiers have ordered for evacuation.
Contrary to their claims, the Israeli army spokesperson, in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, denied giving any such order. He said that that the military has responded to the request of the director of Shifa hospital to allow Gazans to take shelter in the hospital, and those who wish to move towards humanitarian crossing in Gaza Strip via a secure axis.
צה״ל נענה הבוקר לבקשת מנהל בית החולים שיפאא׳ לאפשר לאזרחים עזתים שחסו בבית החולים ומעוניינים בכך להתפנות מבית חולים שיפאא׳ לכיוון המעבר ההומניטרי ברצועת עזה באמצעות ציר מאובטח >>
— דובר צה״ל דניאל הגרי – Daniel Hagari (@IDFSpokesperson) November 18, 2023
Mohammed Zaqout, director general of hospitals in Gaza, stated, “I categorically deny these false allegations [from the Israeli army]… We were forced to leave by gunpoint.”
He added that the management was called by army at 8am [05:00 GMT] and were asked to evacuate the premises of the largest hospital in Gaza within an hour. Moreover, they were directed to exit along a route where “charred bodies” were strewn across the street.
Ismail al-Thawabta, director general of the government media office in Gaza, claimed that Israeli forces have forced out more than 500 wounded patients at gunpoint.