An Israeli air strike on a medical clinic in Gaza City on Friday resulted in the death of the director of Gaza’s Ambulance and Emergency Department, according to the enclave’s health ministry. The exact party responsible for the strike on the facility, which had been used as a shelter by displaced individuals, was not immediately known. However, images posted on social media showed a fire consuming the building, with its grounds littered with torn bodies. A source close to the ministry reported that at least 500 people were injured, including many children. The United Nations has issued a warning about an impending famine for the territory’s 2.3 million residents and has called for both sides to restore law and order to facilitate food aid delivery.
The health ministry noted that the death of Hani al-Jaafarawi increased the number of medical staff killed by Israeli fire since October 7 to 500, with at least 300 others detained. The ministry blamed the attack on an “Israeli warplane,” adding that “an investigation into the incident is underway.” The Israeli military declined to comment.
Hamas said it was “deeply saddened by the killing of its beloved brother and colleague.” It called on the international community to take urgent action against the ongoing Israeli aggression.
On Sunday, Israel’s military said it had advanced to the edge of the Mawasi displaced persons camp in the northwest of Rafah, forcing families there to leave. A Palestinian resident said the area remained dangerous, with drones and tanks hovering overhead and snipers hunting those who try to check on their homes.
Israeli troops were also reportedly advancing on parts of the town of Tel Al-Sultan in the northeast of the enclave. Residents said they were being forced to flee northward to Khan Younis and to Deir Al-Balah in central Gaza, the only areas of the enclave where Israel’s tanks had not yet invaded.
Israel’s military said the assassination of Arouri was meant to send a message to Hamas that it must cease its collaboration with Iran’s regional allies, including Hezbollah and the Syrian government, and that the group must “focus on its fight against Israel.”
The assassination of Arouri will have an impact inside Hamas itself, Orbach of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy said. He was an essential bridge builder within the group, and his removal from its chain of command will likely have ripple effects across the armed wing and the political leadership.
Lebanese Foreign Minister Gebran Habib also blamed Israel for the strike, telling the BBC that “of course” it was responsible. He accused Israel of trying to drag Lebanon into a conflict that no one in the country wants. He said it was “obvious that they are attempting to compensate for their failure in the Gaza Strip.” Hezbollah’s leader, Sheikh Hassan Nasrallah, has also blamed Israel.
