Israel launches targeted operation at Al-Shifa hospital, Gaza’s largest medical center
In the midst of intense fighting between Israeli forces and Hamas, Israel’s military has launched a targeted operation at Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza, the largest medical center in the region. The operation comes after accusations that Hamas has been using the hospital as a command base, a violation of international humanitarian law protecting medical facilities during times of war.
According to reports, Israeli tanks and military vehicles entered the hospital courtyard, with ongoing fighting occurring inside the complex. Doctors and staff at Al-Shifa were given a 30-minute warning before the operation began, with the situation inside the hospital rapidly deteriorating. Desperate efforts are being made to keep premature babies alive, with limited medical procedures taking place by candlelight due to the lack of electricity.
Israel’s Defense Forces have stated that the raid is a precise and targeted operation against Hamas, with the goal of rescuing over 200 people taken captive by the terror group. However, the United States has cited intelligence suggesting that Hamas does have a command node under the hospital, seemingly backing Israel’s assertions. The Pentagon has newly declassified intelligence indicating that Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad were using hospitals, including Al-Shifa, to conceal and support their military operations.
Palestinian officials and Hamas have condemned the Israeli raid, with the Palestinian Health Minister denouncing it as a new crime against humanity. Meanwhile, journalists and doctors have described catastrophic conditions inside the hospital, with reports of people starving, lack of food and drinkable water, and the horrifying sight of dozens of bodies, including those of women and children.
Thousands of Palestinians are believed to be sheltering in and around Al-Shifa, seeking refuge from Israel’s air and ground offensive. The situation at the hospital is dire, with patients, staff, and displaced people still inside facing a catastrophic and desperate situation. As the situation continues to unfold, the humanitarian crisis at Al-Shifa hospital is a stark reminder of the toll of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.