GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — The Palestinian Health Ministry in the Gaza Strip recently announced that the only central laboratory for coronavirus tests in the coastal enclave has ceased to operate amid the Israeli shells that targeted the Health Ministry building, and Al-Rimal clinic on Al-Wehda Street in central Gaza City. 

Speaking at a May 17 press conference, the ministry’s undersecretary, Youssef Abu al-Rish, said that the Israeli shells interrupted phone medical consultation services for coronavirus patients as several of the medical personnel were wounded, one suffering a serious injury to the head. 

The damage to the ministry’s building and Al-Rimal clinic is “a heinous crime aimed at preventing the ministry from carrying out its humanitarian work in saving lives and providing health care to citizens,” Abu al-Rish said. 

On May 17, Israel renewed its bombing of Al-Wehda Street, targeting residential buildings, the Health Ministry building and Al-Rimal clinic, which killed a man and his infant daughter, and wounded dozens of civilians and health personnel. This is not to mention the severe damage to the bombed buildings, notably the ministry and the clinic.