Israel’s military reported on Wednesday that it had conducted a raid on Gaza‘s Al Shifa hospital, resulting in the deaths of approximately 90 gunmen and the arrest of 160 individuals. Hamas, however, denied these allegations. Al Shifa, previously Gaza’s largest hospital, now operates partially and serves as a shelter for displaced civilians.
The Israeli military asserted that the operation aimed to eliminate terrorists and locate weapons within the hospital premises while ensuring the safety of civilians, patients, and medical staff. Additionally, the military released the names and photographs of two soldiers killed during the raid.
The raid on Al Shifa hospital commenced early Monday, with Israeli forces deploying special forces, infantry, and tanks based on intelligence suggesting the hospital’s use by armed militants.
Videos released by the military purportedly showed weapons caches within the facility.
Ismail Al-Thawabta, director of Gaza’s Hamas-run government media office, claimed that those killed during the raid were wounded patients and displaced individuals seeking refuge at the hospital.
He accused the Israeli military of spreading misinformation to justify their actions, labeling them as violations of international law and humanitarian norms.
Israel faced criticism previously for a similar raid on Al Shifa hospital in November, during which they uncovered tunnels allegedly used by Hamas for military purposes.
Hamas and hospital staff vehemently denied these allegations, maintaining that the facility serves solely as a medical center and refuge for civilians.
Senior Hamas official Basem Naim condemned the raid, labeling it a war crime and accusing Israel of conducting a genocidal campaign. These events underscore the ongoing tensions and humanitarian challenges in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
