Medical professionals are urgently working to rescue newborns amidst Israel's ongoing conflict with Hamas near Gaza's largest hospital.

Premature infants at Gaza's largest hospital are being swathed in foil and positioned alongside warm water in a desperate attempt to sustain their lives amidst "catastrophic" circumstances, as the hospital director cautioned. The relentless Israeli bombardment in the surrounding areas and the depletion of fuel reserves have rendered the facility incapable of functioning, exacerbating the dire situation.

The medical staff at Al-Shifa hospital are tirelessly striving to ensure the survival and warmth of these fragile newborns, even after the depletion of oxygen supplies forced them to manually transfer the babies from the neonatal unit's incubators to another section of the hospital. Additionally, a correspondent from the Al Arabiya network, who was present at the hospital, disclosed to CNN that individuals were trapped within, too terrified to escape due to the intense combat.

“There is no more water, food, milk for children and babies… the situation in the hospital is catastrophic,” the director of the medical center, Dr. Muhammad Abu Salmiya.

During an interview with Al Araby TV on Sunday, a doctor reported that multiple children had passed away in the intensive care unit and nursery within the last two days due to Israel's continuous bombardment and blockade of Gaza. This already impoverished and densely populated area has been suffering since Hamas militants attacked Israel on October 7th. Meanwhile, an Israeli military spokesperson stated on Saturday that their forces were engaged in intense fighting against Hamas near the hospital complex, but denied any involvement in firing at the medical center and refuted claims that the hospital is under siege. Israel has repeatedly accused Hamas of using Al-Shifa hospital as a command center, which both Hamas and hospital officials have denied. Additionally, the Israeli military has accused Hamas of hiding within civilian infrastructure in the past.

On November 12, newborns in Gaza's Al-Shifa hospital were transferred to a bed from the incubators due to the depletion of oxygen supply in the neonatal unit.

Al-Shifa hospital is currently providing refuge to numerous displaced individuals, as well as medical personnel and patients, as seen in a photograph taken on November 10. Due to the continuous bombardment by Israel, a significant number of civilians are hesitant to venture out of the hospital's premises.

Late on Saturday, a freelance journalist embedded within Al-Shifa reported a distressing scene of numerous unburied bodies, incapacitated ambulances unable to transport the injured, and life-support systems rendered useless due to the lack of electricity. The dedicated medics were forced to work under candlelight, while the inhabitants had to ration their food and resort to drinking water from the pipes.

According to Abu Salmiya, the director of Al-Shifa, around 7,000 displaced individuals are seeking refuge in the hospital, alongside 1,500 patients and medical personnel. However, due to a shortage of electricity, none of the operating rooms are operational, resulting in a dire situation where those in need of surgery are unable to receive the necessary medical attention and are at risk of losing their lives.

Al-Shifa is not the only facility facing challenges in Gaza. The Palestine Red Crescent Society recently announced that Al-Quds Hospital, a major healthcare center in Gaza City, is also unable to operate. Being the second largest hospital in Gaza, this development is concerning. The hospital's closure is a result of fuel and power shortages, which have rendered it non-functional.

The impact of Israeli airstrikes on Gaza's population has been devastating. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Ramallah, over 11,000 people have lost their lives, including 4,506 children and 3,027 women. These figures are based on data from the Hamas-controlled territory.

Israel's blockade on essential supplies, including fuel, has exacerbated the already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza. As a result, hospitals, water systems, bakeries, and other vital services that rely on electricity have been forced to shut down.

The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, has stated that both Hamas and Israel have committed war crimes in the past month. This acknowledgment highlights the severity of the situation and the urgent need for a resolution.

On Monday, Dr. Munir Al-Bursh, the director-general of the health ministry under Hamas control, expressed concern over the refusal of medical staff at Al-Shifa to comply with an IDF evacuation order. The doctors' reluctance stems from their fear that approximately 700 patients will perish if they are abandoned.

According to Al-Bursh, the crux of the issue lies not with the doctors themselves, but with the patients. Should they be left behind, their lives will be at stake. Conversely, if they are transferred, the journey itself poses a significant risk, potentially leading to their demise. This dire situation underscores the gravity of the matter, as we are dealing with the lives of 700 patients.

Despite the absence of a response from the doctors thus far, some displaced individuals and families have already begun to leave.