Reports from Al Jazeera Arabic colleagues confirm that Marwan Al-Sultan, the director of the Indonesian Hospital in Gaza City, has been killed in an Israeli strike. The attack targeted a residential building in an area southwest of Gaza City, resulting in the deaths of Al-Sultan’s family members, including his wife and children.
As the director of the Indonesian Hospital, Al-Sultan was a crucial source of information, providing updates on the conditions of Palestinians in the besieged enclave. He frequently called on the international community to ensure the safety of medical teams, particularly during Israeli army sieges or strikes on the hospital.
The Indonesian Hospital Under Attack
The Indonesian Hospital in Gaza has faced significant challenges, including direct attacks and sieges by Israeli forces. On November 20, 2023, Israeli tanks surrounded the hospital, resulting in at least 12 casualties. The hospital, which shelters thousands of displaced Palestinians, has been under intense pressure due to the ongoing conflict.
Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza
The conflict has led to a severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with hospitals struggling to function due to a lack of fuel, medicines, and other essential supplies. The World Health Organization has documented 171 Israeli attacks on health facilities in the occupied Palestinian territories, including 75 in the Gaza Strip, resulting in the deaths of at least 16 health workers .
International Concerns
The international community has expressed concern over the targeting of hospitals and medical facilities in Gaza. The World Health Organization has called for immediate and uninterrupted access to Gaza to revive its ailing health system. Sarbini Abdul Murad, chairman of MER-C’s executive committee in Jakarta, condemned the targeting of surgeons, stating, “The targeting of surgeons, who are very much needed by war-injured patients, is a cruel and inhuman decision. Doctors and other health workers are protected by the Geneva Convention”