Credited from: BBC
Dr. Marwan al-Sultan, the director of Gaza's Indonesian Hospital, was killed in an Israeli airstrike on his home along with several family members. Reports indicate that the attack specifically targeted his residence, resulting in the deaths of at least seven people, including his wife and children, according to the Gaza health ministry and witnesses. The attack has drawn significant condemnation for the targeting of medical personnel during the ongoing conflict, which has already led to the deaths of numerous healthcare workers in the region, as reported by BBC and South China Morning Post.
The Israeli military claims the airstrike was aimed at a key Hamas figure in Gaza City, stating that it reviews claims of civilian casualties. However, local reports, including those from the Palestinian health ministry, assert that the strike constitutes a violation of humanitarian principles and unjustly targets medical workers. Dr. al-Sultan's killing adds to a tragic toll of 70 healthcare workers lost in recent weeks, emphasizing the dire situation for medical services in Gaza, as detailed by Middle East Eye and The Jakarta Post.
The assault not only heightens the humanitarian crisis for civilians in Gaza but also poses dire implications for the healthcare system already crippled by conflict. Since the beginning of the current military operations, over 1,500 health workers have reportedly been killed or detained. The international community faces pressing questions about targeting practices and the ongoing humanitarian impact, underscoring the urgent need for a ceasefire and renewed negotiations for peace as suggested by various humanitarian organizations, as highlighted by BBC and The Jakarta Post.