Gaza, April 13 (QNA) - A Palestinian government official in Gaza Strip stated that approximately 36 hospitals have been damaged, destroyed, or rendered out of service since the start of Israeli occupation's aggression on Gaza on October 7, 2023.

Director General of Government Media Office, Ismail Al thawabteh, revealed in remarks to Qatar News Agency (QNA) that the list of hospitals targeted by Israeli attacks includes major and key hospitals that are fundamental to the health system in Gaza and have been subjected to continuous targeting by Israeli forces.

He explained that the list includes hospitals such as Al-Shifa Medical Complex and Al-Quds Hospital in Gaza City, Kamal Adwan Hospital and the Indonesian Hospital in northern Gaza, Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis, and Abu Yusuf al-Najjar Hospital in Rafah in southern Gaza Strip. Some of these hospitals have been completely put out of service due to the complete destruction of their buildings and facilities.

He pointed out that Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital, which was bombed by Israeli forces earlier on Sunday, had already been targeted in October 2023, during which Israeli forces committed one of the most horrific massacres against displaced people and patients, resulting in martyrdom and injury of hundreds of civilians, patients, and wounded individuals.

Al thawabteh emphasized that the hospital, which includes several specialized departments, was serving hundreds of patients, wounded, medical staff, and their companions at the time of the attack. It provides healthcare services to over a million Palestinians in Gaza and northern Gaza, amid the near-total collapse of healthcare system due to ongoing genocide, blockade, and continuous bombardment.

In his statement to QNA, Al thawabteh also mentioned that the list of targeted hospitals during the aggression includes Beit Hanoun, Al-Awda, Abasan Al-Jazaeri, Al-Hayah, Al-Helo, Psychiatry, Al-Rantisi, Al-Nasser Children's, Al-Durra, Turkish Friendship, Al-Ayoun, Al-Karama, Friends of Patient, Public Services, Dar Al-Salam, Yafa, and St. John's.

He further stated that some of these hospitals provide specialized and critical services, and have ceased all operations. These include Al-Sahabah, Al-Ayoun Specialized, Hamad, Haifa, Al-Wafa, Mahdi Maternity, Jordanian Field hospital, Al-Yemen Al-Sa'id, Al-Muslim Specialized, Al-Amal, Kuwaiti, and Emirati hospitals.

Director General of Government Media Office stressed that the continued bombing of hospitals in Gaza by Israeli forces is part of a systematic policy targeting the region's health infrastructure.

He clarified that in addition to the direct bombing, destruction, and rendering of hospitals out of service, Israeli forces prevented essential supplies from reaching the remaining hospitals in the strip, which are operating at a minimal capacity. They blocked delivery of fuel and medical supplies and hindered evacuation and transfer of the injured, which constitutes a blatant violation of international humanitarian law that ensures the protection of medical facilities. Earlier on Sunday, Israeli forces bombed the reception building of Al-Ahli Baptist Hospital with two missiles, completely destroying it. A fire broke out, further damaging other departments and halting hospital's operations entirely. Hundreds of patients and the wounded, some in critical condition, were evacuated into the surrounding streets, left in the dark and cold, with no medical care. (QNA)