Israel Conducts Another Raid on Gaza’s Main Hospital, Alleging Hamas Regrouping
In yet another escalation of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, Israeli forces launched a raid on the Gaza Strip’s largest hospital, Shifa Hospital, on Monday. The Israeli army claimed that Hamas terrorists had regrouped inside the hospital and had fired on them from within the compound. However, Palestinian officials and those sheltering in the hospital refute these allegations, accusing the Israeli army of recklessly endangering the lives of civilians.
This is not the first time that Shifa Hospital has been targeted by Israeli forces. In November, the army raided the hospital, claiming that Hamas maintained a command center beneath the facility. While the military revealed a tunnel leading to a bunker and weapons found inside the hospital, critics argued that the evidence fell short of the earlier claims.
According to witnesses inside the hospital, Israeli forces backed by tanks and artillery surrounded the medical complex early Monday. Snipers were reportedly shooting at people inside, and the army raided several buildings, detaining dozens of people. Those sheltering in the hospital expressed their fear and frustration, noting that doctors and ambulances were unable to move due to the constant fire from Israeli forces.
The Gaza Health Ministry reported that the Israeli army directed gun and missile fire at a building used for specialized surgeries, causing a fire at the hospital’s gate. The ministry also stated that approximately 30,000 people, including patients, medical staff, and displaced individuals seeking safety, were sheltering at the hospital.
Israeli Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari defended the raid, stating that it was a “high-precision operation” targeting parts of the medical complex where senior Hamas terrorists had allegedly regrouped and were directing attacks. The army released a video showing what it claimed were terrorists firing on its forces from inside the hospital, as well as a video of an armored vehicle being struck by a rocket-propelled grenade. The army reported detaining around 80 people during the raid.
Israel has long accused Hamas of using hospitals and other civilian facilities as shields for its fighters. As a result, the Israeli military has conducted raids on several hospitals since the start of the war. However, these actions have led to the closure of most medical facilities in Gaza due to a lack of fuel and medical supplies, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.
The Gaza Health Ministry reports that at least 31,645 Palestinians have been killed in the war. While the ministry does not differentiate between civilians and combatants, it states that two-thirds of the dead are women and children. The conflict was triggered by Hamas’ attack into southern Israel in October, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people and the hostage-taking of 250 others. Although most hostages were released during a ceasefire last year, Hamas is still believed to be holding about 100 captives and the remains of 30 others.
Efforts by the United States, Qatar, and Egypt to broker another ceasefire and secure the release of hostages have been unsuccessful so far. The gap between the two sides remains wide, with Hamas demanding guarantees for an end to the war and Israel vowing to continue its offensive until it dismantles the terrorist group.
As the conflict rages on, innocent civilians continue to suffer. The people of Gaza face dire circumstances, with their homes destroyed, medical facilities closed, and a quarter of the population starving. The international community must redouble its efforts to bring an end to this devastating conflict and ensure the safety and well-being of all those caught in its crossfire.
