Red Crescent denies Israeli claims that gunmen are present inside Al-Quds Hospital

By Awad al-Rujoub

RAMALLAH, Palestine (AA) - The Palestine Red Crescent Society issued a statement Monday denying Israeli claims of the presence of Palestinian gunmen inside Al-Quds Hospital in Gaza.

The Red Crescent condemned "the (Israeli) occupation army’s false allegations of gunmen firing from inside Al-Quds Hospital."

It also considered the claims "incitement to target the hospital" in a clear violation of international humanitarian law.

Earlier Monday, Israeli army spokesman Avichay Adraee claimed in a statement that the Israeli army was attacked by RPG fire and gunfire from Al-Quds Hospital.

The Red Crescent Society said Sunday that Al-Quds Hospital went out of service due to a lack of fuel and electricity, but many Gazans took shelter in the hospital, hoping its status as a civilian facility would spare it from attacks.

As of Sunday, local authorities in Gaza said 22 out of 34 hospitals in the enclave had gone out of service as a result of Israel’s onslaught.

As the Israeli assault on the Gaza Strip entered its 38th day, at least 11,180 Palestinians have been killed, including over 7,700 women and children, and more than 28,200 others have been injured, according to the latest figures from Palestinian authorities.

Thousands of buildings including hospitals, mosques and churches have also been damaged or destroyed in Israel's relentless air and ground attacks on the besieged enclave since last month.

The Israeli death toll, meanwhile, is nearly 1,200, according to official figures.

*Writing by Ahmed Asmar