Israeli forces have launched an overnight raid on al-Shifa hospital in Gaza, resulting in reports of tanks and heavy gunfire. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) are carrying out a “high precision operation in limited areas” of the hospital, claiming that senior Hamas terrorists have regrouped inside the facility and are using it to launch attacks. Witnesses described a state of panic inside the complex in Gaza City, with tanks surrounding them and heavy gunfire heard around the hospital in unverified footage posted on social media.
The IDF had not publicly signaled in advance that it was planning to launch a new operation at al-Shifa. In a video message posted in the early hours, IDF chief spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said the Israeli military was responding to “concrete intelligence that demanded immediate action.”. He said the hospital would continue functioning during the raid and told patients and staff they did not have to evacuate.
The Hamas-run Gaza health ministry called the operation a “flagrant violation of international humanitarian law.” Hundreds of displaced Palestinians are sheltering at the hospital, which was raided by Israeli forces earlier in the conflict. Israel has long accused Hamas of using medical facilities as cover for its operations, which the Iranian-backed armed group denies.
Israeli troops also carried out a major military operation on the grounds of Nasser Hospital in February, where doctors were detained, blindfolded, and beaten during the raid. The IDF found weapons and evidence of hostages held at the facility during its raid into Nasser Hospital.
(BBC)
