Palestinians who fled during an ongoing Israeli raid in and around the Gaza Strip's main hospital described days of heavy fighting, mass arrests, forced marches past dead bodies, and flattened buildings. The Israeli military reported killing over 170 militants and detaining some 480 suspects in the raid on Shifa Hospital that began last Monday. The military portrayed it as a significant blow to Hamas and other armed groups that had regrouped in the medical compound.
The raid highlighted the resilience of Palestinian armed groups in an isolated and heavily destroyed part of Gaza. Residents described huddling in fear as gunfire and explosions echoed outside, causing buildings to shake. Israeli troops stormed buildings, forced residents to leave, and detained individuals. Tanks were used to intimidate and terrorize the residents during the evacuation.
Israel's southern command described the operation as daring and impressive, with hundreds of militants apprehended and valuable intelligence acquired. The military vowed to continue the operation until the last terrorist is captured.
Shifa Hospital had ceased functioning following a previous raid in November, with Israeli forces claiming Hamas maintained a command center inside. The military exposed a tunnel and found weapons in parts of the hospital. Gaza City, where Shifa is located, has suffered widespread devastation, with experts warning of imminent famine in northern Gaza due to the lack of aid delivery.
The raid at Shifa Hospital led to the death of trapped Palestinians due to lack of food, water, and medical services. The World Health Organization condemned the conditions as inhumane. The military evacuated patients and medical staff from the emergency department, citing militant presence in the building.
The ongoing war between Israel and Hamas has resulted in thousands of casualties, with civilians making up a significant portion of the dead. Israel accuses Hamas of using civilian areas to shield its fighters, leading to civilian casualties. The conflict has displaced over 80% of Gaza's population, with many seeking refuge in Rafah, the next target of Israel's ground offensive.
Efforts to broker a cease-fire and secure the release of hostages have so far been unsuccessful, despite diplomatic interventions from the United States, Qatar, and Egypt. Indirect talks between Israel and Hamas have not yielded an agreement, prolonging the conflict and humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
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