The assault on the largest hospital, Al-Shifa, began. This was announced by the Israeli Army (IDF) on Telegram. They explained that a targeted operation was underway to destroy the command post and weapons warehouse of the Palestinian group Hamas, which, according to the Israeli military, is located in the hospital.
Hamas militants deny this.
The Israeli military emphasizes that the fighting is only against militants, not civilians. They added that they are providing assistance in evacuating the hospital, and have also established regular contacts with its management.
As Al Arabia TV channel reports, citing the enclave’s Ministry of Health, hospital staff were warned. The day before, the Israeli military approached the gates of the hospital – by that time heavy fighting was taking place near the hospital complex, after which shots began to be heard on the territory of the hospital itself. It is clarified that the assault is being carried out from the western wing of the hospital. At the same time, IDF armored vehicles approached the hospital during the day, notes the New York Times.
Previously, the IDF warned Hamas that using the hospital for military purposes endangered the facility and asked the militants to surrender.
The IDF has repeatedly stated that militants use hospitals along with other civilian infrastructure as cover. Hamas has regularly denied the accusations.
Let us remind you that after the Hamas rocket attack on October 7, the Israeli authorities set up a blockade of the Gaza Strip and continue bombing the enclave. According to Gaza’s health ministry, more than 11,000 people have been killed in the strip since Israeli bombing began. According to WHO, 40% of the dead were children.
Source: Rosbalt
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