In a significant development, Israeli troops entered Gaza’s al-Shifa hospital, citing a “precise and targeted operation against Hamas in a specified area” within the medical complex. This decision marks a notable escalation of Israel’s offensive in Gaza, intensifying global calls for a ceasefire, a move that Israel has thus far resisted.
A senior Israeli military official reported the discovery of “weapons and other terror infrastructure” during the ongoing operation, emphasizing its focus on one specific area within the hospital. The official asserted that no fighting occurred inside the hospital complex, with patients and medical staff in a separate section. Four militants were reported dead in a clash outside the hospital.
Hamas promptly denied the claim, dismissing it as “cheap propaganda” aimed at justifying what they termed a deliberate assault on Gaza’s health sector.
The military operation within the Shifa hospital compound is expected to heighten international concerns about the civilian impact of Israel’s offensive in Gaza. The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, expressed deep distress over the “dramatic loss of life” in hospitals and urged an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.
Israel contends that al-Shifa hospital houses an underground Hamas command center, making it a strategic objective. The military stated that evacuation routes were provided, and a 12-hour notice was given to halt any military operations within the hospital. The operation is expected to fuel the ongoing global debate on the civilian toll of the conflict.
