Tragic Aftermath Uncovered: Decomposed Bodies of Infants Found in Evacuated Gaza Hospital
In a heart-wrenching revelation, the decomposed bodies of infants were discovered in the evacuated Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of Al-Nasr Hospital in Gaza, offering a grim glimpse into the devastating consequences of the conflict. The distressing scene, captured on video by Gaza-based reporter Mohamed Baalousha and dated November 27, portrayed the lifeless bodies of babies, still tethered to life-saving equipment in their beds.
The circumstances leading to this appalling discovery are shrouded in complexity. Al-Nasr and Al-Rantisi children’s hospitals, part of the same complex, became a battleground between Israeli and Hamas forces in early November. The hospital staff, under Israeli direction, hastily evacuated on November 10, leaving behind infants in the ICU who could not be safely moved, as reported by CNN.
The haunting footage, displaying the remains of at least four infants, some reduced to little more than skeletons, raises questions about the adequacy of evacuation protocols and the responsibility for the infants’ well-being. Conflicting accounts emerged regarding the status of the infants at the time of evacuation, with reports suggesting that the hospital staff faced significant challenges amid ongoing hostilities.
Dr Mustafa al-Kahlout, head of both paediatric hospitals, highlighted the dire situation in a video on November 9, citing damage to the hospital and the cut-off of oxygen to the ICU. Despite pleas for intervention from international organizations, including the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), the hospital faced insurmountable challenges, with ambulances unable to reach the facility.
An audio recording between a hospital official and an officer from COGAT, coordinating Israeli activities in the region, suggested an agreement for evacuation. However, ambulances purportedly never arrived, prompting families and hospital staff to evacuate independently. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) denied responsibility for the infants’ deaths, leading to a contentious debate over the events leading to the heartbreaking discovery.
The tragic footage, described as an “unspeakable tragedy” by the ICRC, underscores the urgent need for an impartial investigation to ascertain the use of hospitals for civilian and humanitarian purposes. The forensic analysis of the video, revealing advanced decomposition of the infants, adds a layer of complexity to the already contentious circumstances surrounding the evacuation of Al-Nasr Hospital in Gaza.
