An Israeli airstrike on an ambulance used to evacuate the injured from the besieged northern Gaza Strip caused 15 people’s lives and injured 60 others.
According to Israel’s military that the strike killed Hamas militants and accused the group of moving fighters and weapons in the ambulances.
Ashraf al-Kidra, a spokesman for the Gaza Health Ministry, said the ambulance was part of a convoy that Israel struck near Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.
Kidra also stated that Israel attacked the ambulance convoy in several locations, including at the gate of Al-Shifa Hospital and Ansar Square. However, in confirmation of Kidra’s side, earlier on Friday, Kidra said that the ambulances would send seriously injured Palestinians, who urgently need treatment in Egypt, from besieged Gaza City to the south of the enclave.
The Israeli side, however, did not prove otherwise, but only said the following:
We emphasise that this area is a battle zone. Civilians in the area are repeatedly called upon upon to evacuate southwards for their own safety.
Israel last month ordered all civilians to leave northern Gaza for a major offensive into Gaza, and as early as Thursday its military surrounded the area. Despite the order to leave northern Gaza, the Israeli military continues to shell the southern part of the Strip as well.
World Health Organisation Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a social media post that he was “utterly shocked by reports of attacks on ambulances evacuating patients,” and health workers and patients must be protected from attacks.
