Israeli Raid at Shifa Hospital in Gaza Unearths Weapons; Humanitarian Crisis Intensifies
Israeli forces on Wednesday conducted a targeted raid at Shifa Hospital, reportedly uncovering weapons and terror infrastructure linked to Hamas. The operation, described as precise and focused, took place in a specific area of the vast hospital complex, avoiding direct confrontations with medical staff and patients.
According to a senior military official, the raid revealed concrete evidence of Hamas using the hospital as a base for terrorist activities. The operation’s details remain undisclosed, with further evidence expected to be presented later.
The Israeli military also said in a statement that its troops had delivered humanitarian aid to the hospital.
Shifa Hospital, a critical medical facility in Gaza City, has become the epicenter of Israel’s ground operation. Israeli forces allege the existence of Hamas headquarters in tunnels beneath the hospital, a claim Hamas denies. The situation has garnered global attention, particularly concerning the safety of patients and thousands of displaced civilians within the hospital’s vicinity.
Recent developments include the deaths of patients, including newborns, allegedly due to Israel’s encirclement of the facility. Israel has countered these claims, stating it provided medical supplies and eliminated Hamas fighters outside the hospital.
Doctors Without Borders surgeon Dr. Mohammad Obeid, working inside Shifa, reported intensified bombing and the arrival of Israeli tanks, raising concerns about the safety of medical personnel and patients. The medical staff has requested an evacuation plan, especially for vulnerable patients such as premature babies.
United Nations aid chief Martin Griffiths expressed concern for the patients’ welfare, emphasizing the need to protect Gaza’s population amid military operations.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) defended the raid as essential for national security, while US intelligence corroborated Israel’s claims about Hamas’ presence at the hospital. In response, Hamas accused the US and Israel of war crimes and asserted that the assault on the hospital violates the Fourth Geneva Convention.
The conflict escalated following Hamas militants’ incursion into Israel, leading to a siege on Gaza’s 2.3 million population. Gaza health officials report over 11,000 Palestinian deaths.
