Jakarta, Indonesia Sentinel — Israel launched an attack on Indonesia Hospital in Beit Lahiya, northern Gaza, on Saturday, October 19, 2024 2024 leading to the death of two patients. The Palestinian Ministry of Health reported that Israeli artillery targeted the upper floors of the hospital, which housed more than 40 patients, injured individuals, and medical staff.
The situation worsened as the hospital lost power, putting the lives of patients, especially those dependent on oxygen machines in grave danger.
“Two patients in the intensive care unit died due to the hospital’s siege by Israeli forces, which cut off its electricity for hours,” a medical source at the hospital stated as reported from Anadolu, cited on Monday, October 21.
Marwan Sultan, the director of Indonesia Hospital in Gaza, described the dire conditions, noting that at least 30 patients had been injured, with 10 in urgent need of oxygen support. He warned that their lives were at risk if the power outage persisted.
In a statement quoted by WAFA, Palestinian Health Minister Majed Abu Ramadan confirmed the deaths of the two patients. “We lost two patients today due to the siege imposed by Israeli occupation forces on Indonesia Hospital and the disruption of electricity and essential medical supplies,” he said.
Abu Ramadan explained that patients, the wounded, and healthcare workers in Gaza were facing extremely critical conditions, with death looming over them at any moment. He reiterated his urgent call for international health and human rights organizations, as well as the global community, to take stronger action to protect patients, the injured, and healthcare institutions that have been struggling to carry out their humanitarian duties for nearly a year.
The health minister also called for immediate medical aid and international pressure to end Israel’s aggression against the Palestinian people.
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Israeli tanks have surrounded the hospital since the early hours of Saturday, October 19, firing at its facilities and causing the hospital’s generator to cease functioning. Israeli forces also targeted the second and third floors, partially destroying the hospital’s walls.
A group of displaced people sheltering outside the hospital gates was also got hit by artillery fire, resulting in casualties, according to witnesses. The hospital, which has been serving as a refuge for thousands of displaced civilians in the surrounding area, has been encircled by Israeli forces.
Since October 4, this marks the 17th consecutive days of the Israeli occupation forces have continued their military attack on northern Gaza, blocking food, water, medicine, and fuel supplies, while also targeting facilities like the Indonesia Hospital.
(Raidi/Agung)
