After Palestinian authorities reported that two infants had died and dozens more were in danger because of a lack of fuel caused by the violent conflict in the region, the Israeli military said on Sunday, November 12, that it had plans to evacuate babies from Gaza's main hospital.
War's Devastating Effects on People
As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continued to deepen, the Rafah gate into Egypt was announced to reopen to foreign passport holders on Sunday, as reported by Reuters. Jordan has also dropped extra supplies at a field hospital in the area, Aljazeera said.
More than 160 Israeli military targets, including more than 27 tanks and vehicles, were destroyed in the last 48 hours, according to the militant group Hamas. Meanwhile, the Israeli military has released a statement claiming that northern Gaza is no longer under Hamas' control.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel held a press conference late on Saturday, November 11, to reveal the deaths of five additional Israeli troops in the Gaza Strip. Since the start of ground operations, Israel's military says 46 lives have been lost.
Despite Israel's claims that 1,200 people were murdered and over 200 were held captive by Hamas last month, the country maintained rockets were still being launched from Gaza into southern Israel.
Around 40% of the 11,078 people killed in air and artillery assaults on Gaza since October 7 were minors, according to Palestinian sources.
A protester holds up a placard bearing dolls to represent bloodied children during a demonstration in support of Palestinians and to demand an immediate ceasefire in Gaza at Place de la Republique in Brussels, on November 11, 2023.
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Transporting Babies to Safer Hospital
There has been movement toward an agreement to liberate hostages held by Hamas in Gaza, as per Israel's three main TV news programs, which Reuters said did not cite any specific sources.
Netanyahu said he would not disclose the specifics of any potential arrangement, but N12 News reported that it would entail the gradual release of 50 to 100 civilians, including children and the elderly, over a three- to five-day ceasefire.
Israel may contemplate allowing gasoline into Gaza and releasing female and juvenile Palestinian captives, but it reserves the right to restart combat, say the media sources.
Health ministry representative Ashraf Al-Qidra in Hamas-controlled Gaza stated that the hospital had been closed since Saturday due to a lack of fuel. He stated two infants died in an incubator as a consequence.
Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, the top military spokesman for Israel, said the military would assist in the evacuation of infants from the hospital at the request of the Al Shifa medical staff. The total number of infants was reportedly 45.
When asked about the evacuations, Al-Qidra said, "We have not been informed about any mechanism to get the babies out to a safer hospital. So far, we are praying for their safety and not to lose more of them."
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