Gaza authorities accuse Israel of war crimes in expulsion of Gaza City healthcare workers
Gaza’s Government Media Office has condemned Israel’s plans to expel medical workers from Gaza City and destroy the healthcare system in the area.
As we’ve been reporting for weeks, Israel is in the middle of its plan to forcibly move the population of Gaza City south, and to size it militarily.
The office stressed that the European Hospital in southern Gaza’s Khan Younis “is not a substitute for the northern hospitals” as it has sustained major damage by previous Israeli attacks and would require rebuilding.
It said in a statement that Gaza City is home to 1.3 million people, including 500,000 children, and therefore any plans to expel healthcare workers from the area would be “a war crime targeting the remaining elements of life”.
“The [Israeli] occupation has destroyed the health system in Gaza and the north, leading to hospitals being unable to operate at full capacity.”
Israel’s army chief spars with far-right ministers ahead of Gaza City cabinet meeting
Israel’s Channel 12 reports that army chief Eyal Zamir and far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich had a heated argument during a meeting also attended by Benjamin Netanyahu and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer.
Smotrich, who is leading the charge on occupying more land in the West Bank, was quoted as saying that the political echelon wants the army to quickly seize Gaza City at any human cost.
“No water, no electricity, they die of hunger or surrender,” he reportedly said, being backed in his criticism of the army chief by far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir in the meeting.
Israeli media also reported that the security cabinet will meet on Tuesday to discuss plans to occupy Gaza City, as well as a potential deal with Hamas to bring back some captives held in the enclave.
