31 ‘very sick’ babies safely evacuated from al-Shifa Hospital to southern Gaza: WHO

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported on Sunday that 31 critically ill infants were successfully evacuated from al-Shifa Hospital to a medical facility in southern Gaza. The evacuation occurred on the same day, and the plan was to move the infants to a third hospital in Egypt. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus announced on social media that the infants, who were in dire need of medical attention, were evacuated along with a team of six health workers and 10 family members of the hospital staff. They were taken to a hospital in Rafah, a city in southern Gaza, for urgent treatment.

The Palestinian Red Crescent, in collaboration with the United Nations, managed the evacuation of the 31 infants. They were to be transferred to a hospital managed by the United Arab Emirates in Rafah, which is located on the border with Egypt. A photograph showed a woman carrying an infant as Palestinian families fled from the northern parts of Gaza City towards the south amidst the conflict between Israel and Hamas. The health ministry in Gaza announced in a press briefing that the infants and their families would be transported to Egyptian hospitals the following Monday.

A WHO delegation that visited al-Shifa Hospital on Saturday found that 32 infants were among the many critically ill patients left stranded at the facility, which had been under the operation of Israeli forces for the past week. The WHO had previously stated on Sunday that 291 patients remained at al-Shifa after the Israeli military had ordered others to evacuate. Those left included the infants in extremely critical condition, patients with severe infection in their wounds, and individuals with spinal injuries who were immobile. The WHO team managed to inspect al-Shifa Hospital for an hour after approximately 2,500 displaced individuals, ambulatory patients, and medical personnel had vacated the extensive compound on Saturday morning. The WHO reported that 25 medical staff stayed behind with the patients.

In the northern Gaza Strip, a significant number of casualties occurred at the Jabaliya refugee camp when an Israeli air strike reportedly hit a crowded United Nations shelter. The aftermath was described as devastating, with fatalities and injuries among women and children. In southern Gaza, an Israeli air strike targeted a residential building near Khan Younis, resulting in the deaths of at least 26 Palestinians.

Qatar's Prime Minister mentioned that negotiations to release hostages taken during a Hamas attack on Israel were progressing, with only minor practical issues remaining. Qatar has been mediating discussions to secure the release of some of the 240 hostages in exchange for a temporary ceasefire. The Prime Minister expressed optimism about reaching an agreement that would ensure the safe return of the hostages.

Israel's Ambassador to the United States conveyed hope that a significant number of hostages could be released by Hamas in the near future. Israel has committed to defeating Hamas in retaliation for the October 7 attacks, which resulted in numerous civilian casualties and the taking of hostages. The ongoing military operations have led to a high death toll, with a substantial number of children among the victims. The United States is actively working towards a resolution between Israel and Hamas, despite Israel's refusal to agree to a ceasefire until all captives are released.