Israeli Military: "50 Hamas Members Killed at Gaza Strip's Largest Hospital"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

The Israeli military announced that it launched a surprise attack on Al-Shifa Hospital, the largest medical facility in the Gaza Strip, killing more than 50 Hamas militants over two days.

On the 19th (local time), the Israeli military held a briefing and stated, "The naval special forces Shayetet 13, the 401st Armored Brigade, and Shin Bet are jointly conducting operations at Al-Shifa Hospital," adding, "So far, over the past two days, we have killed about 50 Hamas militants and arrested around 180 suspects."

On the previous morning, the Israeli military raided Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, northern Gaza Strip. They explained, "This was based on intelligence that Hamas militants were hiding in the hospital and regrouping their forces."

However, Hamas criticized the Israeli military for driving patients, medical staff, and refugees into streets where bullets were flying. The Gaza Strip Ministry of Health, operated by Hamas, raised its voice against the operation, calling it "a clear violation of international humanitarian law."

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO), also expressed deep concern over the fighting occurring at the hospital.