Gaza’s health-care and communications infrastructure is collapsing under the strain of intense fighting. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the military assault, telling NBC News that his forces are attempting to “minimize civilian casualties.” But Gaza’s largest hospital, al-Shifa, has become a battle zone in recent days, and the World Health Organization’s director general, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said Sunday that it “is not functioning as a hospital anymore” after days without power, water or reliable internet and “constant gunfire and bombings in the area.” The Israel Defense Forces have denied striking al-Shifa Hospital or targeting civilians. Another major hospital, al-Quds, is out of service because of power outages and fuel shortages, the Palestine Red Crescent Society said. Palestinian officials predict communications and internet in the enclave will shut down completely this week if it does not receive fuel and after significant infrastructure damage from Israeli strikes.
