Israeli troops stormed the Al-Shifa Hospital complex in Gaza on Monday morning, saying they had killed 20 armed men, in an operation that Palestinian health authorities said caused multiple casualties and set off a massive fire. in one of the buildings.
The Israeli military said soldiers and special forces conducted a “precise operation” based on intelligence that the hospital was being used by senior Hamas leaders and were fired upon as they entered the compound.
“Twenty terrorists have been eliminated in Al-Shifa hospital so far in various battles, and dozens of detained suspects are currently in question,” the statement said.
Al-Shifa, the largest hospital in the pre-war Gaza Strip, is now one of the only partially operational health facilities in the north of the territory, and also houses hundreds of displaced civilians.
“Suddenly we started hearing sounds of explosions, several shellings, and soon the tanks started rolling, they came from the western road and headed towards Al-Shifa, then the sounds of gunfire and explosions increased,” said Mohammad Ali , 32, father of two, who lives about a kilometer from the hospital, told Reuters via a chat app.
“We don’t know what is happening, but it seemed like it was a new invasion of Gaza City,” he added, stating that military activities began around 8 pm on Sunday (17), Brasília time.
Gaza's Hamas-run Ministry of Health said a fire broke out at the entrance to the hospital complex, causing cases of asphyxiation among displaced women and children sheltering in the hospital. It said communications were cut off, with people trapped inside the surgical and emergency units of one of the buildings.
“There are victims, including dead and injured, and it is impossible to rescue anyone due to the intensity of the fire and the targeting of those approaching the windows,” the ministry said.
The Israeli army spread new leaflets around the hospital in Gaza City.
“To all those who exist or are displaced in Rimal and those displaced in and around Al-Shifa: you are in a dangerous combat zone. The IDF is operating heavily in their residential areas to destroy terrorist infrastructure,” said the statement, which ordered the population to follow the coastal road towards Al-Mawasi, in the south of the Gaza Strip.
The military released footage from the nighttime operation showing soldiers in the hospital complex engaged in gunfights. Reuters was unable to independently verify the video.
Images posted on social media appeared to show an Israeli tank blocking the main gate of Al-Shifa.
The military said troops were instructed on the importance of operating with caution, as well as measures to be taken to avoid harm to patients, captured civilians, medical staff and medical equipment, and said patients were not obligated to withdraw.
Hamas said in a statement that the Israeli military committed a new crime by directly attacking hospital buildings without concern for patients, medical staff or displaced people.
Source: CNN Brasil
Bruce Belcher is a seasoned author with over 5 years of experience in world news. He writes for online news websites and provides in-depth analysis on the world stock market. Bruce is known for his insightful perspectives and commitment to keeping the public informed.
