In an escalation of the ongoing conflict, Israeli forces carried out an overnight raid on the al-Shifa hospital in Gaza.
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Reports indicate that tanks and heavy gunfire were directed at the medical facility, causing panic among patients, staff, and displaced Palestinians seeking refuge there.
According to an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson, the raid was part of a “high precision operation in limited areas” within the hospital.
The IDF alleges that senior Hamas terrorists had regrouped inside al-Shifa and were using it as a base to launch attacks.
Eyewitnesses described a tense atmosphere within the complex as tanks surrounded the area, and the sound of tank fire reverberated through the vicinity.
The Hamas-run Gaza health ministry swiftly condemned the operation, labeling it a “flagrant violation of international humanitarian law.”
Thousands of displaced Palestinians had sought shelter at al-Shifa, which had previously been targeted by Israeli forces during the conflict.
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The IDF claimed that tunnels used by Hamas were discovered beneath the hospital during a previous raid in November 2023.
In a video message released early on Monday, March 18 2024, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, the IDF’s chief spokesperson, explained that the military’s actions were based on “concrete intelligence which demanded immediate action.”
He assured patients and staff that the hospital would continue functioning during the raid and that evacuation was not necessary. However, he called on Hamas to “surrender immediately.”
Before the conflict, al-Shifa hospital stood as the largest medical facility in Gaza. Now, it has become a battleground.
As the situation unfolds, the world watches with concern, hoping for a swift resolution that prioritizes civilian safety and adherence to international law.
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