Israel strikes ambulance near Gaza hospital, 15 reported killed
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[November 04, 2023]
GAZA (Reuters) -An Israeli air strike on an ambulance
being used to evacuate the wounded from besieged northern Gaza killed 15
people and injured 60 others on Friday, the Hamas-controlled enclave's
health ministry said.
Israel's military said it had identified and hit an ambulance "being
used by a Hamas terrorist cell". It said Hamas fighters were killed in
the strike, and accused the group of transferring militants and weapons
in ambulances.
Hamas official Izzat El Reshiq said allegations its fighters were
present were "baseless". Ashraf al-Qidra, spokesperson for Gaza's health
ministry, said the ambulance was part of a convoy that Israel targeted
near Gaza City's al-Shifa Hospital.
Qidra said Israel had targeted the convoy of ambulances in more than one
location, including at al-Shifa Hospital gate and at Ansar Square a
kilometer (0.6 miles) away.
In a statement on the incident, Israel's military gave no evidence to
support its assertion that the ambulance was linked to Hamas but said it
intended to release additional information.
"We emphasize that this area is a battle zone. Civilians in the area are
repeatedly called upon to evacuate southwards for their own safety," the
military said.
Reuters was unable to independently verify either side's account.
Video shared on social media, which Reuters has verified, showed people
lying in blood next to an ambulance with flashing lights on a city
street as people rushed to help.
Another video showed three ambulances standing in a line, with about a
dozen people lying either motionless or barely moving next to them.
Blood was pooled nearby.
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Palestinians pull an ambulance after a convoy of ambulances was hit,
at the entrance of Shifa hospital in Gaza City, November 3, 2023.
REUTERS/Anas al-Shareef
World Health Organisation Director-General Tedros Adhanom
Ghebreyesus said in a social media post he was "utterly shocked by
reports of attacks on ambulances evacuating patients", adding that
patients, health workers and medical facilities must be protected.
Earlier on Friday, Qidra said ambulances would send critically
injured Palestinians who urgently need to be taken to Egypt to be
treated from besieged Gaza City to the south of the enclave.
Israel, which has accused Hamas of concealing command centres and
tunnel entrances in al-Shifa hospital, ordered all civilians to
leave the north of Gaza last month and its military encircled the
area on Thursday.
Despite its order for civilians to leave northern areas of Gaza,
Israel's military has continued to bombard the south of the strip as
well.
Hamas and al-Shifa hospital authorities have denied the facility is
used as a base by militant fighters.
(Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi; Writing by Angus McDowall; Editing
by Alison Williams, Alistair Bell and by Sandra Maler)
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