Israeli military operation "selective against Hamas" in Al Shifa hospital
After almost three weeks of ground incursion and with a large part of the northern Gaza Strip under its control, the Israeli Army launched an operation last morning in a part of the Al Shifa Hospital complex.. He points out that it is part of the search for “terrorist infrastructure” and information on those kidnapped in the Hamas attack on October 7 in southern Israel.
Later in the day, the Army has assured that in its raid it has found “an operations center” with “ammunition, weapons and military equipment” of the Palestinian Islamist movement Hamas in the hospital center.
“We have proof that the hospital was being used for military and terrorist purposes, contrary to international law,” army spokesman Daniel Hagari told the press.
“The precise and selective mission against Hamas, initiated based on intelligence information and an operational need, is still underway,” Israel said in the morning, after its soldiers, accompanied by medical teams, entered an area – the basement and surroundings – of the largest hospital in the Gaza Strip.
The government of the fundamentalist group that has controlled the Palestinian enclave since 2007 denies Israeli accusations that Al Shifa, and especially its subsoil connected to the network of tunnels, is one of the main command centers of its armed wing.. “The occupation army's assault on the Al Shifa medical complex is a war crime, a moral crime and a crime against humanity,” denounces Hamas.
Before the military entry into the Al Shifa Hospital – indicates the Army – its forces “found explosive devices and terrorist cells, and a confrontation began in which terrorists died.”. Various Israeli media speak of five militiamen killed in the fighting in that area of Gaza City, citing Army sources.. According to Israel, so far there has been no friction between its soldiers and the hospital's medical staff and patients.
Those responsible for the Hamas Ministry of Health and the hospital were notified in advance (around 30 minutes) by the Army.. It is believed that around 1,000 people, including patients, injured people and staff, were inside the health center last night.. In recent days, the Al Shifa management reported the death of several newborn babies due to lack of fuel and warned that the lives of more than 30 premature babies are in danger.
“Incubators, baby food and medical supplies brought by Army tanks have successfully arrived at Al Shifa Hospital. “Our medical teams and Arabic-speaking soldiers are on the ground to ensure these supplies reach those who need them,” the Army said.. The Minister of Health of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA), Dr Mai Al-Kaila, denounces the military operation, also condemned by Jordan, and warns that it could have “catastrophic consequences” for medical personnel and patients.
A doctor from Al Shifa told Reuters in the morning that gunshots outside the complex forced staff to stay away from the windows for their safety while a Palestinian journalist pointed out the presence of Israeli military vehicles in the center's courtyard.
The Army considers that the presence of weapons and militiamen in the area closest to the health center is another indication of the importance that its armed wing attaches to it.. However, in Israel they are aware that it is unlikely to find Hamas leaders in the health center after several weeks of warning with an operation in Al Shifa and several days of siege with their tanks that was accompanied by combat with militiamen.
What they do not doubt, nor does the US point out, is that Al Shifa has been used all these years by Hamas as one of its most important and protected centers and bases, also being a refuge for part of the members of the armed wing who participated in the armed attack. 40 days ago.
Israel hopes that the operation in Al Shifa, as already occurred in the Rantisi Hospital, can help in the two missions declared by the cabinet in the massive military offensive by land, air and sea in response to 7-0: ending the military infrastructure and the Hamas Government in Gaza and free the 239 kidnapped in the hands of the Yahia Sinwar group and Islamic Jihad.