JENIN, West Bank. Israeli undercover forces disguised as civilian women and medical workers stormed Ibn Sina Hospital in Jenin, West Bank, on Tuesday, resulting in the death of three Palestinian militants. The incident highlighted the spillover of violence from the recent conflict in Gaza into the West Bank.
The Palestinian Health Ministry condemned the raid, stating that Israeli forces opened fire inside the hospital wards. A hospital spokesperson suggested it was a targeted killing, emphasizing that there was no exchange of fire. The ministry called on the international community to pressure Israel to cease such operations in hospitals.
The Israeli military claimed that the militants were using the hospital as a hideout and accused one of the targeted individuals of transferring weapons and ammunition for a planned attack. However, evidence supporting these allegations was not provided.
Footage circulating on social media, claimed to be security camera video from the hospital, showed undercover forces, most of them armed, dressed as women with Muslim headscarves or posing as hospital staff. The authenticity of the footage has not been independently verified, but it aligns with witness accounts.
While the hospital raid unfolded, violence persisted in the Gaza Strip. Ceasefire talks continued amid the ongoing conflict that erupted when Hamas-led militants entered Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 deaths, mostly civilians, and the abduction of around 250 others.
In response, Israel launched a comprehensive offensive, resulting in more than 26,700 casualties in Gaza, according to the Health Ministry in the Hamas-run territory. The conflict has caused widespread destruction, displacing 85% of Gaza’s population and pushing a quarter of residents to the brink of starvation.
A looming humanitarian crisis may exacerbate the situation, as the United Nations warned of potential consequences after several countries froze funding to the main aid provider for Palestinians in Gaza. This decision followed Israeli claims that a dozen aid workers participated in the Oct. 7 assault that triggered the conflict.
The international community is closely watching the evolving situation, urging restraint and seeking a resolution to the escalating tensions 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.
