Israeli military escalates conflict with Al-Shifa hospital raid
Israeli forces’ raid on Gaza’s Al-Shifa Hospital marks the fourth such attack since October, leading to numerous casualties and urgent calls for international intervention
Israeli forces launched a raid on Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City early this morning, escalating the ongoing conflict in the region.
A military spokesman claimed that Hamas fighters had taken refuge inside the medical facility. The Gaza Health Ministry reported the raid resulted in multiple casualties, marking Israel’s fourth such action against the hospital since October.
The operation saw Israeli troops in civilian attire initially infiltrate the hospital, followed by a surrounding of the complex with military vehicles, tanks, and drones.
Amid rising tensions, the Israeli army ordered the immediate evacuation of the hospital and surrounding areas to al-Mawasi. This directive contradicted earlier statements denying the need for such measures.
A statement from the Gaza Health Ministry called for international intervention: “Immediately stop this (Israeli) massacre against the sick, the wounded, the displaced, and the medical staff inside Al-Shifa Hospital.”
They revealed that about 30,000 people, including displaced civilians and medical staff, are trapped inside amid the ongoing siege.
Meanwhile, the anti-poverty organization Oxfam reported Israel is “systematically and deliberately” blocking aid into Gaza, contributing to a severe humanitarian crisis. According to their findings, widespread hunger has taken hold in the enclave, with one in three children under two suffering from acute malnutrition.
Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari defended the operation as a necessary response to Hamas’ use of the hospital for military purposes, describing it as “a high-precision operation” based on solid intelligence.
The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) stated they had exchanged fire with Hamas fighters inside the facility, leading to several militants being killed or wounded and the detention of 80 individuals.
Hamas strongly condemned the Israeli action. In their statement, they accused Israel of committing new crimes and expressed a loss of hope for any military achievement by the Israeli forces.
International reactions have been swift, with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz warning against escalating attacks. Meanwhile, Palestinian factions have united in denouncing the raid, with Hamas stating, “The crimes of the (Israeli) occupation will not create any image of victory for (Israel’s President Benjamin) Netanyahu and his Nazi army.”
Source: Newsroom
