Israeli Occupation Forces Detain Director of Gaza's Al Shifa Hospital

Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) have arrested Muhammad Abu Salmiya, director of Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza. Khalid Abu Samra, a senior official at the hospital, confirmed Salmiya's detainment along with several other senior doctors.

The Israeli Broadcasting Authority also verified the arrest. The arrest occurred amid Israeli officials' announcement of a one-day delay in the 4-day truce agreement. The agreement requires the Israeli Occupation Forces (IOF) to refrain from detaining anyone in Gaza during this period.

Al Shifa Hospital, the largest medical complex in the Gaza Strip, has been recurrently targeted by IOF. Last week, Israeli forces conducted a raid on the hospital, alleging it was a Hamas base, although these claims remain unverified.

Continuous bombardment, compounded by restricted fuel and electricity supplies, has resulted in a complete breakdown of medical services at Al Shifa. Described as a 'death zone' by the World Health Organization, the hospital faces dire conditions. The UN's humanitarian office reported Israeli army obstruction of a convoy of ambulances carrying 190 wounded and ill patients from Al-Shifa Hospital to the south, leading to a nearly 20-hour journey.

Due to the critical situation, 28 premature babies were evacuated to Egyptian territories on November 20th, with five in critical condition. Additionally, on November 14th, the hospital director announced the excavation of a mass grave within the hospital premises due to the inability to transport victims' bodies amid ongoing bombardment.