2024-03-18 22:22:21
Israeli troops killed about 20 Hamas fighters who were hiding in the territory of the Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City.
As Day.Az reports with reference to Interfax, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant announced this on Monday.
He noted that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducted an operation on the hospital grounds on Monday morning and detained dozens of suspects for questioning.
Gallant said the al-Shifa operation was “another step towards defeating Hamas.” “We will continue and become stronger until we destroy Hamas and everything it represents,” the minister said.
Following Israel’s operation at the hospital, the World Health Organization (WHO) expressed concern about the situation, saying it “poses a risk to healthcare workers, patients and civilians.”
“Any military action or militarization of this site threatens the ability to provide medical care, emergency access and the supply of life-saving supplies,” warned WHO chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, speaking via video link to the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee on Monday, said that the Israelis are unanimous in their opinion on the need to destroy Hamas and free the hostages.
Later on Monday, Netanyahu had his first telephone conversation with US President Joe Biden since February 15. Following the conversation, the White House indicated that the leaders “discussed the latest events in Israel and the Gaza Strip, including the situation in Rafah and efforts to increase humanitarian aid to Gaza.”
Meanwhile, the Haaretz newspaper, citing a source, reported that an Israeli delegation led by Mossad intelligence chief David Barney arrived in Qatar to negotiate a possible temporary ceasefire and the release of hostages. It was noted that this is not about direct negotiations with Hamas.
The humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip remains tense. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Monday that residents of the enclave are facing “catastrophic hunger.” He called on Israel to “ensure full and unrestricted access for humanitarian supplies” to the Gaza Strip.
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