Israel Denies Forcing Evacuation of Al-Shifa Hospital at Gunpoint despite Witnesses' Testimonies
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – The Tel Aviv regime denies forced evacuation at al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza while doctors have described a distressing forced evacuation at gunpoint orchestrated by Israeli forces.
In a harrowing account, Dr. Munir al-Barsh of al-Shifa Hospital described the Israeli army's forced evacuation of the medical facility, compelling those inside to leave within one hour.
The Israeli army issued a call at approximately 9 am (7:00 GMT) on Saturday, instructing individuals to wave a white handkerchief and walk in a single-file line during the evacuation.
"They were humiliated by soldiers all along the road," al-Barsh reported. Around 450 patients were evacuated, while approximately 120, who were immobile, were left behind. The hospital's director, four doctors, and a small group of nurses stayed to assist, with the promise of a UN delegation dispatched at about 11 am (9:00 GMT) to care for those remaining.
"We were forced to leave. Many patients were put on wheelchairs or rolling beds, and family members had to carry their wounded children or parents themselves," al-Barsh lamented. "These are horrible, unprecedented scenes."
Adnan al-Barsh, head of orthopaedics at al-Shifa Hospital, corroborated the grim situation, stating, "There's not a single hospital or medical facility in service in the northern Gaza Strip."
"The Baptist Hospital is besieged; the Indonesian Hospital is already out of service without any resources or medical supplies left. We, as doctors, did all we could until the last minute to save the victims," he declared. "We were adamant on not leaving without our patients, forced to leave at gunpoint. Israeli snipers are inside and around the hospital complex."
Despite these accounts, the Israeli army denies ordering patients and medical staff to evacuate al-Shifa Hospital, claiming they responded to the hospital director's request for a "secure axis" for those wishing to leave.
Contrary to the Israeli army's statement, Mohammed Zaqout insisted that Israeli forces gave staff and patients a one-hour deadline for evacuation. "I categorically deny these false allegations. Despite the difficult situation, the medical staff was working and operating. We were forced to leave at gunpoint," Zaqout told Al Jazeera.
He further revealed that a list of critical patients has been handed to the Red Cross for transport to Egypt for treatment, with no progress reported on the issue so far.
