Escalating Violence in Gaza: Attacks on Hospitals and Civilians

The ongoing violence in Gaza has escalated dramatically, with alarming reports of direct attacks on hospitals and maternity wards. According to The Guardian, nearly 300 attacks on maternity care facilities have been documented globally over the past three years, with Gaza being highlighted for its severe conditions.

A UN official noted that women in Gaza have been forced to give birth in rubble due to a lack of accessible hospitals. Dr. Adnan Radi from al-Awda hospital stated that operating rooms and maternity wards have been directly targeted, leading to unnecessary deaths among women and children.

The Israeli military maintains that it does not deliberately target these facilities. Furthermore, a UN commission has cited the impact of these actions on reproductive health as a reason for declaring them genocidal.

In terms of media coverage, journalists like Anas al-Sharif have faced lethal threats while reporting from Gaza, with many local journalists being killed or silenced. The International Federation of Journalists reported that 111 journalists were killed in 2025, with nearly half of those fatalities occurring in Gaza, amplifying the challenges faced in conveying the humanitarian crisis.

The complex situation raises urgent ethical and moral questions regarding the protection of civilians in warfare, especially in light of the Geneva conventions that are meant to safeguard such vulnerable populations.