Israel has carried out a drone strike on a medicine storage facility inside Shuhada al-Aqsa Hospital in central Gaza, injuring three Palestinian civilians, according to local media reports.

The strike targeted a tent being used as a medical supply warehouse within the hospital compound in Deir al-Balah, further worsening the severe shortages of medicines and medical supplies confronting Gaza’s already devastated healthcare system.

The attack comes as hospitals across Gaza continue to face acute shortages of essential medicines, medical equipment and laboratory supplies, while repeated attacks have damaged or disrupted healthcare facilities and their ability to provide treatment.

Hospital director urges international intervention

Ra’ed Hussein, director of Shuhada al-Aqsa Hospital, called on the international community to intervene and take action to halt Israeli attacks on healthcare facilities across Gaza.

Hussein warned that repeated strikes on hospitals and other medical facilities are placing patients and wounded Palestinians at grave risk.

The latest attack was reportedly not the first Israeli strike targeting the hospital’s medical supplies this month.

Earlier in August, Israeli shelling hit the hospital’s supply depots, destroying significant quantities of medicines and medical consumables needed to treat patients.

Medical supplies increasingly under threat

The targeting of medicine storage areas has added another layer to the crisis facing Gaza’s healthcare sector. Hospitals are not only struggling to obtain adequate supplies but are also seeing existing stocks destroyed in attacks.

Medical facilities across the Gaza Strip have been operating under extremely difficult conditions amid shortages of medicines, fuel, equipment and other essential resources.

The latest strike on Shuhada al-Aqsa Hospital has renewed concerns over the safety of medical workers, patients and wounded civilians, as well as the ability of hospitals to maintain essential services.

Hospital officials and Palestinian health authorities have repeatedly called for the protection of medical facilities and personnel and for sustained access to humanitarian and medical supplies. (ILKHA)