Gaza's Largest Hospital Under Siege Amid Ongoing Conflict

Human Rights Groups Urge U.S. Intervention as Thousands Trapped, Death Toll Rises

Al-Shifa, the largest hospital in Gaza, is under siege with thousands of healthcare workers, patients, and displaced people trapped inside. The hospital's last generator ran out of fuel, leading to the deaths of three premature babies and four other patients. The Health Ministry warns that another 36 babies are at risk of dying.
Israel's military claims it placed 300 liters of fuel near Shifa for an emergency generator, but alleges that Hamas prevented the hospital from receiving the fuel. However, a Health Ministry spokesperson disputes this account, stating the fuel would not be enough to operate the generator for an hour.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rejected international calls for a ceasefire without the release of the estimated 240 hostages taken by Hamas in the October 7 attack that sparked the current conflict.
Human rights organizations, including the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP), are urging U.S. President Joe Biden to intervene and demand Israel cease its attacks in Gaza.
Since the war began, the Gaza Health Ministry reports that more than 11,000 Palestinians have been killed, while about 2,700 have been reported missing or thought to be trapped or dead under rubble. On the Israeli side, at least 1,200 people have been killed, most of them in the initial Hamas attack.