Gaza Strip - August 27, 2024

Panic and desperation are mounting in one of the last functioning hospitals in Gaza following Israel's latest evacuation order, though the majority of medical staff have opted to stay put and save lives despite the imminent danger.

Last weekend, the Israeli military issued an evacuation order for Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, where the region's last operational hospital, Al-Aqsa Hospital, is located. This move, aimed at facilitating military operations, has plunged patients and displaced individuals into a state of fear.

With many forced to flee, some brave people, including dedicated doctors and vulnerable patients, remain at the hospital, battling not only physical injuries but also the looming threat of further violence.

Nashat Abdul Bari, a man whose leg was injured in Israeli military assaults, is now receiving treatment at the hospital. His family, unable to find shelter, is currently sleeping on the street near the hospital. Facing the impending military operation, he found himself utterly helpless.

Similarly distressed is Mohammed Abu Fadi, a displaced man living in a tent on the hospital grounds with his family. This place provides shelter to around 13,000 displaced persons. The renewed evacuation order has left thousands of people in a conundrum.

With around 100 patients still in the hospital, including seven in intensive care units, the stakes are high. Despite the risks, most medical staff have chosen to stay, driven by their commitment to saving lives.

Khalil Al-Daqran, a spokesman for Al-Aqsa Hospital, stressed the gravity of the situation.

Shotlist:
Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip - Aug 27, 2024:
1. Exterior of Al-Aqsa Hospital;
2. Various of patients in hospital;
3. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Nashat Abdul Bari, injured man:
"I don't want to leave the hospital. Apart from here, I have nowhere else to go.";
4. Various of displaced Palestinians living in tent, children dining;
5. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Mohammed Abu Fadi, displaced man:
"First and foremost, I don't have the money to leave here or have my family moved out of here. More importantly, even if I had the money, I have got no place to go, no matter it's the seaside or else where, all places are crowded with people, the seaside has been inundated with hundreds of thousands of people, there are people everywhere.";
6. Makeshift tents for displaced people;
7. Ambulance, pedestrians;
8. Injured man in wheelchairs;
9. SOUNDBITE (Arabic) Khalil Al-Daqran, spokesman, Al-Aqsa Hospital (partially overlaid with shot 10):
"As for the alternative plans, actually there are no alternatives. This is the only functioning hospital in the central region. We cannot transfer the injured and sick to the nearby hospitals. Although there are some medical posts in the suburbs, they cannot provide the same level of medical services as we do. We call on all international organizations to intervene, keep the Israeli army away from the hospital, eliminate the danger, and prevent them from raiding Al-Aqsa Hospital again.";
[SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
10. People in hospital hallway;
[SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE]
11. Beds, medical equipment in ward;
12. People in hospital hallway.

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