Iran has warned that the ongoing Israeli war on Hamas will inevitably lead to an expansion of the conflict. This comes as reports emerge of Israeli air strikes on or near several hospitals in Gaza, causing civilian suffering. The comments from Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian raise concerns about the potential destabilization of the Middle East, despite diplomatic efforts and the deployment of U.S. naval forces to the region.
Amir-Abdollahian conveyed his message to his Qatari counterpart Sheikh Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, stating that the intensity of the war against Gaza’s civilian residents makes the expansion of the conflict unavoidable. Iran’s state-run Press TV reported these comments, which were made during a telephone conversation.
Israel’s bombardment and siege of Gaza have resulted in a humanitarian catastrophe, with thousands of people seeking medical treatment and shelter in the few remaining hospitals. The Gaza Ministry of Health reported that Israeli strikes targeted multiple hospitals, including the largest one in Gaza City, Al Shifa hospital. Israel has accused Hamas of using these hospitals as hiding places for command centers and tunnels, but Hamas denies these allegations. Israel’s military has stated that it does not target civilians.
Iran supports Hamas but denies any involvement in the recent attack on Israel that triggered the current crisis. Iran also backs Hezbollah, a Lebanese militant group with strong ties to Hamas and Islamic Jihad, another Palestinian faction in Gaza supported by Iran.
The Israeli military campaign against Hamas has severely impacted Gaza’s hospitals, which are struggling to cope with the influx of patients. Many hospitals and health centers have been damaged or are out of service due to shelling or lack of fuel. Videos have emerged showing the aftermath of Israeli attacks on hospitals, raising concerns about the safety of civilians, especially children, seeking medical care and shelter.
Indonesia’s foreign ministry has reported explosions near the Indonesian Hospital, causing damage but no reported deaths or injuries. The ministry condemned the attacks on humanitarian facilities in Gaza.
Israel claims that Hamas killed 1,400 people, mostly civilians, in their raid on southern Israel that triggered the Israeli assault. Palestinian officials, however, report that 10,812 Gaza residents, including 40% children, have been killed in Israeli air and artillery strikes. The Israeli military’s advance on central Gaza City has raised questions about their adherence to international laws protecting medical centers and displaced people.
The U.S. has called on Israel to comply with international law and distinguish between terrorists and civilians. The White House announced that Israel agreed to pause military operations in parts of north Gaza for four hours a day, allowing people to flee and potentially facilitating the release of hostages. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the pauses would be scattered, and there is no official confirmation of a plan for recurring breaks.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas continues, with no sign of a let-up in the fighting.
