Israeli Forces Launch Overnight Raid on Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza
In a dramatic turn of events, Israeli forces have conducted an overnight raid on Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza, with reports of tanks and heavy gunfire at the facility.
An Israel Defense Forces spokesperson stated that the IDF was carrying out a “high precision operation in limited areas” of the hospital, alleging that senior Hamas terrorists were regrouped inside and using it to launch attacks.
Eyewitnesses described a state of panic inside the complex in Gaza City, with one man recording a call with his brother posted on a WhatsApp group, saying, “Tanks are surrounding us. We are hiding inside the tent. We hear tank fire in the vicinity of the compound.”
Unverified footage posted on social media captured the sound of heavy gunfire around the hospital, adding to the tense and chaotic atmosphere.
Inside the hospital, Muhammad Al-Sayyid sent a voice message to journalists, detailing the dire situation: “The soldiers here inside the complex there are dead and wounded, and the soldiers arrested some young men. The situation here is catastrophic.”
The IDF had not publicly indicated in advance that they were planning to launch a new operation at Al-Shifa, catching many by surprise.
Addressing the situation, IDF chief spokesperson Rear Adm Daniel Hagari explained in a video message that the military was responding to “concrete intelligence which demanded immediate action.” He assured that the hospital would continue to function during the raid and urged patients and staff not to evacuate.
Meanwhile, a statement from the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry condemned the operation as a “flagrant violation of international humanitarian law.” Hundreds of displaced Palestinians seeking shelter at the hospital have been caught in the crossfire.
Al-Shifa hospital, Gaza’s main medical facility, has faced severe disruptions to its operations due to the ongoing conflict. Hospitals typically have protected status during times of war, but can lose that protection if they are being used for nefarious purposes.
Israel has accused Hamas of using medical facilities as cover for its operations, a claim the armed group denies. Previous raids at Al-Shifa and Nasser Hospital uncovered tunnels and weapons allegedly used by Hamas.
The Israeli military’s campaign in Gaza was sparked by a deadly attack by Hamas gunmen, resulting in a significant number of casualties. The conflict has taken a toll on both sides, with Gaza’s health ministry reporting a high number of casualties in the region. The situation remains volatile and uncertain as tensions escalate. — BBC
