In a significant escalation of the conflict in Gaza, Israeli troops entered Al-Shifa Hospital early on Wednesday, conducting what they described as a “precise and targeted operation” against Hamas in a specific area of the medical complex. The move has intensified the ongoing offensive by Israel and prompted increased calls for a ceasefire, which the country has resisted thus far.
A senior Israeli military official revealed that the operation uncovered “weapons and other terror infrastructure” in a designated area of the hospital. The official confirmed that there was no fighting within the hospital complex, and no clashes with medical staff or patients, who were reportedly in a different section of the facility. The operation resulted in the death of four militants in a clash outside the hospital.
The Israeli military claims to have found concrete evidence that Hamas used Al-Shifa Hospital as a headquarters for terrorist activities. However, Hamas vehemently denied the accusation, dismissing it as “cheap propaganda” aimed at justifying what they called Israel’s assault on Gaza’s health sector.
The decision to enter a medical facility has sparked concerns globally, especially as Al-Shifa Hospital is Gaza’s largest medical facility and has been a strategic objective for Israel. The military argues that there is a Hamas command center in bunkers underneath the hospital, a claim that has been met with skepticism by some international observers.
Dr. Ahmed El Mohallalati, a surgeon at Al-Shifa Hospital, reported that the staff went into hiding as the fighting unfolded around the hospital overnight. Israeli soldiers reportedly informed the hospital administration in advance of their plans to enter the facility.
Fighting has been raging around the Al-Shifa Hospital compound for days, trapping approximately 1,200 patients and staff. The hospital has become a symbol of the civilian toll of the conflict, with conditions inside described as horrific, including medical procedures without anesthesia, families lacking basic necessities, and the stench of decomposing corpses.
The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, expressed deep concern over the “dramatic loss of life” in hospitals, calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire. The head of the World Health Organization, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, highlighted the alarming situation at Al-Shifa, stating that they have lost contact with health personnel inside the hospital, raising worries for their safety.
Israel maintains that it provided evacuation routes for civilians and issued a 12-hour notice to Gaza authorities about the military operation inside the hospital. The military also released photos of soldiers delivering humanitarian aid marked “baby food” and “medical supplies.”
As the conflict continues, with Israeli forces consolidating control in northern Gaza and ongoing fighting in Hamas strongholds, the humanitarian crisis deepens. Over 11,000 Palestinians, two-thirds of them women and children, have been killed since the conflict began, according to Gaza’s health ministry. Additionally, about 2,700 people are reported missing, and more than two-thirds of Gaza’s 2.3 million population have been displaced. The situation remains dire, with limited access to essential resources, as airstrikes and bombardment persist in the region.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
