The Gaza Strip’s largest medical facility, Shifa Hospital, became the center of intense conflict for the second consecutive day Tuesday as Israeli forces engaged in a significant operation against Hamas fighters. According to the Israeli military, the action resulted in the death of 90 combatants within the hospital premises, though these claims have not been independently verified, and the identities of the deceased as combatants remain unconfirmed. The army also says that more than 300 suspects were questioned in the area of the hospital by the IDF Intelligence Division and the Shin Bet security agency and that 160 were detained for further investigation.
This recent operation marks another devastating hit to the Shifa medical complex, which had only managed to resume partial operations after a destructive raid by Israeli forces in November. Amid the chaos, thousands of patients, medical staff, and displaced individuals found themselves trapped within the hospital as fierce battles unfolded in the surrounding areas.
The military has justified its raid on the hospital by alleging that Hamas fighters were using the facility as a base to orchestrate attacks. However, this claim has been contested by Hamas, asserting that the casualties of the assault were civilians. The ongoing violence in Gaza City highlights the persistent influence of Hamas in the region, challenging Israeli assertions of control over northern Gaza.
This conflict escalates amid Israel’s broader offensive in Gaza, initiated in response to the invasion of southern Israel by Hamas terrorists on October 7. The campaign has resulted in over 31,800 Palestinian deaths according to the Health Ministry of the Hamas-run government and has devastated northern Gaza, leading to dire warnings of catastrophic hunger and impending famine among the population. Israeli authorities say that almost 1,459 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed since the start of the conflict, including 594 soldiers and 865 civilians.
In a related development, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated his commitment to launching a ground invasion of Rafah, Gaza’s southernmost city, despite a plea from US President Joe Biden for a more targeted approach to combating Hamas fighters.