Israeli forces conducted another operation at Gaza Strip’s largest hospital early Monday, alleging that Hamas militants had regrouped there and were firing on them from inside the compound, where tens of thousands of people are reportedly seeking shelter.
Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the chief Israeli military spokesperson, stated that the army initiated a “high-precision operation” in certain areas of the medical complex. He claimed that senior Hamas militants had gathered there and were orchestrating attacks from within the compound.
The army released aerial footage showing what it said were militants firing at its forces from inside the hospital, along with video footage of a rocket-propelled grenade hitting an armored vehicle. It was reported that around 80 individuals were detained by Israeli forces.
Hagari mentioned that patients and medical staff were allowed to remain in the medical complex, and arrangements were made for civilians who wished to leave to do so safely.
Israel has accused Hamas of using hospitals and other civilian facilities as shields for its fighters. The Israeli military has conducted several raids on hospitals since the conflict began, triggered by Hamas’ attack into southern Israel on October 7.
In November, the army raided Shifa Hospital, alleging that Hamas maintained a command center within and beneath the facility. However, the evidence provided did not fully support these claims, leading to criticism of the army’s actions endangering civilian lives.
Reports from individuals taking shelter in the hospital described Israeli forces surrounding the complex with tanks and artillery, and snipers targeting people inside. They claimed that the army conducted raids on several buildings and detained numerous individuals.
“We are trapped inside,” said Abdel-Hady Sayed, who has been seeking shelter in the medical facility for over three months. “They fire at anything that moves… Doctors and ambulances cannot move freely.”
Gaza’s Hamas-run health ministry accused the Israeli army of directing gunfire and missiles at a building used for specialized surgeries, resulting in a fire at the hospital’s entrance.
The ministry stated that approximately 30,000 people, including patients, medical staff, and displaced individuals, are taking refuge at the hospital.
Most of Gaza’s medical facilities have been forced to shut down due to a lack of fuel and medical supplies, despite the ongoing casualties from Israeli airstrikes.
Efforts to broker a ceasefire and secure the release of hostages by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt have been unsuccessful, with Hamas demanding guarantees for ending the conflict and Israel pledging to continue the offensive until all hostages are released without agreeing to prisoner swaps.
Israel’s offensive has displaced most of Gaza’s 2.3 million inhabitants, with a quarter of the population facing starvation, according to the U.N.
Efforts to provide aid through airdrops and sea routes are ongoing, but aid groups emphasize the need for Israel to open more ground routes and ease restrictions to address the escalating humanitarian crisis.
“We are facing a famine affecting thousands of people,” said EU foreign policy chief Borrell during an international aid conference in Brussels. “Starvation is being used as a weapon of war.”
He called for Israel to open additional border crossings to facilitate aid delivery.
Israeli authorities assert that they do not impose limits on aid entry and blame U.N. bodies for failing to distribute aid promptly, claiming that aid accumulates on the Gaza side of the crossings due to logistical challenges. However, aid groups criticize the inspection system for causing delays and hindering aid delivery.
Oxfam, an international aid organization, reported that a dysfunctional inspection system has led to aid trucks being stranded for an average of 20 days, resulting in rejected goods, including essential medical equipment.
“Israeli authorities are not only failing to facilitate the international aid effort but are actively hindering it,” stated Oxfam Mideast director Sally Abi Khalil.
