Israeli Special Forces Raid Largest Hospital in Gaza
Israeli special forces carry out raid in Gaza
Israeli special forces launched a raid on Thursday at Nasser Hospital in Gaza, the largest functioning hospital in the enclave. The hospital had been under siege by Israeli forces for several days. The raid resulted in the detention of a number of suspects, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The operation was backed by intelligence obtained from released hostages.
Claims denied by Hamas
Israel believed that the bodies of dead hostages were being held inside the hospital, a claim denied by Hamas. The terrorist organization stated that it had “no business” at Nasser Hospital.
Civilians caught in the crossfire
Reports emerged that Israeli snipers had shot and killed a number of people as they tried to flee the hospital. A trauma surgeon at the hospital confirmed at least two deaths and multiple injuries caused by sniper fire.
Israel continues its pursuit of terrorists
Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, a senior Israeli official, accused Hamas terrorists of using injured civilians as shields inside Nasser Hospital. The IDF apprehended a number of suspects in the raid.
Allegations of hostage-holding
Earlier reports from a former Israeli hostage suggested that Nasser Hospital had been used to hold hostages. However, this claim could not be independently verified by CNN and was denied by Hamas.
Hospital turned into a military target
Dr. Ashraf Al-Qidra, spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, stated that the Israeli occupation had resulted in the Nasser Hospital being converted into a military barracks. Additionally, Israeli military bulldozers were reported to be digging up mass graves within the hospital complex.
Plight of the displaced
Approximately 1,500 displaced people, including patients, medical staff, and young children, remain in the Nasser Hospital facility. The destruction of Khan Younis has resulted in limited safe places for people to seek shelter. According to Lisa Macheiner, a project coordinator for Doctors Without Borders in Gaza, civilians have been forced into an “apocalyptic landscape” where bombings and evacuation orders have become a part of daily life.
This is a developing story and will be updated.
