Less than 48 hours after President Donald Trump announced progress on a ceasefire plan that includes the complete disarmament of Hamas and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from the Gaza Strip, Israel reportedly conducted airstrikes on a hospital in Gaza.
On August 1, local time, CNN reported that Israeli airstrikes completely destroyed two medical supply warehouses at the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, located in central Gaza, and caused damage to two others, according to local authorities.
The airstrike created a massive crater at the site. Footage released by CNN showed residents sifting through the debris to salvage medical supplies, including IV bags, breathing tubes, surgical masks, and cotton.
The Gaza Health Ministry stated that a nearby refugee camp was also devastated, with extensive damage to tents where civilians were sheltering.
Munir al-Bursi, Secretary-General of the Gaza Health Ministry, criticized the attacks, stating, "When medical supplies are bombed, diseases become weapons of war." He added, "The destruction of medical supply warehouses is a direct attack on one of the lifelines of a healthcare system that is already facing a 51% shortage of essential medicines in Gaza."
According to the Palestinian Health Ministry, eight civilians were killed and 76 injured in Gaza over the past two days. Since the ceasefire agreement was announced last October, the number of Palestinian fatalities has exceeded 1,200.
The airstrikes occurred shortly after President Trump announced on July 30 that Hamas had agreed to complete disarmament and that the withdrawal of Israeli forces would be pursued. While there were hopes that Trump's peace plan for Gaza, initiated by his 'Peace Commission' last year, could break a prolonged deadlock, significant issues remain before actual implementation.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not yet issued an official response to Trump's announcement. However, an Israeli official told CNN that Israeli forces would not withdraw from Gaza unless Hamas disarms first.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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