Hospital attacks violate the laws of war... The dilemma of the Israeli military criticized by the international community

Intensified Battle Surrounding Al-Sifa Hospital
'Hamas Headquarters' VS 'Protected Under International Law'

Israel's continued offensive on Al-Shifa Hospital in the Gaza Strip has sparked growing controversy. Under international laws of war, hospitals are protected entities, but Israel claims that Al-Shifa Hospital is being used as Hamas headquarters.

On the 11th (local time), foreign media reported that Israel's attacks on hospitals in the Gaza Strip have become an international debate over whether they fall within the permissible scope under the laws of war.

Exterior view of Al-Shifa Hospital, the largest hospital in Gaza Strip [Photo by Yonhap News]

According to reports, international humanitarian law concerning armed conflict stipulates that hospitals must be protected even during war. However, if a hospital is used as a means to hide combatants or store weapons, it may lose its protected status. The Israeli military is citing this as justification for attacking the hospital.

Nevertheless, some international law experts pointed out that even if Israel's claims are true, it does not justify immediate attacks on medical facilities.

Kordula Droege, legal officer at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), told the media that there must be sufficient warning to allow patients and medical staff to evacuate safely before attacking medical facilities.

Jessica Wolfendale, a military ethics expert at Case Western Reserve University in Ohio, also stated that even if Israel proves the claim that Hamas command headquarters are located in Al-Shifa Hospital, international law provisions still apply.

She said, "(The presence of Hamas headquarters) does not guarantee an immediate attack," adding, "Measures must be taken to protect as many innocent people as possible."

Foreign media also reported that attacks causing disproportionate civilian casualties compared to the military objective are illegal under international humanitarian law.

Children injured in airstrikes being transported to a hospital in Gaza Strip
[Photo by Yonhap News]

Within Israel, there are signs of moral dilemmas regarding the current situation. Amos Yadlin, former head of Israeli military intelligence, recently said on an Israeli broadcast that the battles surrounding hospitals in the Gaza Strip, including Al-Shifa, present moral and military dilemmas for commanders.

He added, "Nevertheless, we intend to deal with these hospitals," and claimed, "It is clear to everyone that these hospitals are the core command centers of Hamas at this time."

However, some have countered that no concrete evidence has been presented to support Israel's claims.

The international community has strongly condemned Israel over the deaths of critically ill patients and newborns in hospitals.

Foreign media reported that the World Health Organization (WHO) said it lost contact with Al-Shifa Hospital on the day and expressed "serious concerns for the safety of numerous patients, the injured, and displaced persons inside the hospital, including medical staff and newborns on life support."