Israeli army destroys critical utilities, structures at Al-Shifa Hospital as troops leave compound

GAZA CITY, Palestine

The Israeli army destroyed much of the vital utilities and structures of the Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza before leaving the compound on Friday after 10 days of occupation.

The Israeli army destroyed buildings and power generators, as well as vital medical equipment like oxygen pumps and medical devices, before leaving the compound, which had served as the primary medical facility for Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, local sources told Anadolu.

The Israeli army had occupied Al-Shifa Hospital for 10 days, driving out patients, injured, doctors, paramedics, other staff members, and ordinary civilians seeking safety from the escalating attacks on Gaza.

The Israeli army also blew up many of the hospital's departments and buildings, the sources added.

The four-day humanitarian pause between the Israeli army and Palestinian group Hamas came into effect on Friday morning in all areas of the Gaza Strip, temporarily stopping attacks in exchange for prisoners and aid.

Israel has launched relentless air and ground attacks in the Gaza Strip following the Hamas attack, killing at least 14,854 Palestinians, including 6,150 children and over 4,000 women, according to health authorities in the enclave.

The Israeli death toll, meanwhile, is around 1,200, according to official figures.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar