Gaza continues to reel under relentless Israeli military aggression with no resolution in sight. In a devastating escalation Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital— only specialized cancer treatment facility in Gaza— reduced to rubble by Israeli shelling on Friday, March 21, 2025.
Gaza Health Ministry condemned the attack as a “heinous crime,” highlighting destruction of a critical lifeline for patients. Simultaneously, a nearby medical school also targeted by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) further crippling the region’s healthcare infrastructure.
IDF claims the hospital was being used as a Hamas command center, asserting that several Hamas members were killed in strike. These allegations remain unverified, intensifying global outrage over the targeting of civilian facilities.
Attack follows a pattern of Israeli operations that have devastated Gaza’s hospitals with United Nations. And human rights advocates raising alarms over the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the enclave.
In northern Gaza a renewed Israeli ground offensive has forced residents of Beit Lahiya and surrounding areas to flee their homes. “There heavy bombardment all around us, people were dying, and children were terrified. We left in a hurry without knowing where to go,” said a displaced resident, reflecting the chaos and despair gripping the population. Israel’s Defense Minister has threatened to occupy parts of Gaza if hostages not released. While ordering the military to displace residents—a move decried as a violation of international law.
United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has expressed deep concern over. The “ongoing nightmare” in Gaza pointing to the breakdown of a fragile ceasefire on Monday night. Since then, multiple bombings have claimed nearly 600 lives including 200 women and children, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Most casualties occurred under the cover of darkness exacerbating the sense of helplessness among civilians.
Internationally, pressure is mounting for an immediate ceasefire. In joint statement on Friday, Germany, France, and the UK urged Israel to restore the truce and allow humanitarian aid into the blockaded territory.
The statement described Israel’s renewed assaults as a “dramatic step back” from peace efforts.
Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi rejected Israeli media claims. That Cairo would shelter 1.5 million Gazans, firmly opposing any attempts to displace Palestinians.
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As Gaza’s healthcare system collapses and its people face displacement, starvation. And death, the international community’s calls for action grow louder. Yet with Israel showing no signs of relenting path to peace remains elusive leaving millions trapped in cycle of violence and suffering.
