Muslim Aid condemns the attack on Gaza’s Al-Shifa hospital and ‘using starvation as a weapon of war’

Muslim Aid condemns the bombing of Al Shifa Hospital in northern Gaza at dawn on Monday, which led to the arrest of medical staff, internal refugees and journalists.

Around 25 to 30 thousand civilians sheltering inside the hospital, including the sick, injured, medical staff, and displaced were trapped inside, facing an imminent threat to their lives.

The attack happened at around the time of suhoor – pre-dawn meal during – during the month of Ramadan.

On the same day as the attack, The World Food Programme announced that 70 percent of northern Gaza is facing catastrophic hunger, whilst UNICEF announced that malnutrition is spreading fast amongst Palestinian children in Gaza:

• North Gaza: 31 percent of children under the age of two (one in every three children) suffer from acute malnutrition
• Central Gaza: 28 percent of children have acute malnutrition, more than 10 percent of which have severe wasting
• South Gaza: Acute malnourishment of kids has doubled to 10 percent

Muslim Aid is operating across the Gaza Strip providing emergency relief, including serving around 2,000 meals a day in northern Gaza throughout the month of Ramadan. Rights watchdog agencies and global leaders have accused Israel of creating famine and using starvation as a weapon of war in Gaza.

Muslim Aid urges global leaders to protect civilians, public infrastructure and healthcare services.

International humanitarian law must be respected, even during times of war, and hospitals must be protected and never targeted.

The Muslim Aid team in Gaza, including the north of the strip, is Serving Humanity despite the challenging situation on the ground. Like many others, our team is at risk due to continuous bombardment, and we demand an immediate end to hostilities and the protection of civilian life.