The Israel Defense Forces have reportedly surrounded Gaza City’s largest hospital, which they say is located above an underground Hamas command center.
Heavy fighting broke out near al-Shifa hospital on Friday and Israeli forces said they had killed dozens of militants and destroyed some of Hamas’ notorious terrorist tunnels where they house leaders and hide weapons, according to CBS.
A missile landed in the hospital courtyard causing chaos as Israeli forces fought deeper into Gaza on Friday.
The IDF later told CNN that it had concluded that the missile was “a dud projectile launched by terrorist organizations inside the Gaza Strip.”
The Israeli military has repeatedly accused Hamas militants of using the area’s hospitals as cover and claimed that Hamas commanders are hiding in tunnels beneath them.
They have said they want to take control of the hospitals so that they are no longer under Hamas administration.
IDF spokesman Lt. Col. Richard Hecht clarified on Friday: “The IDF does not shoot at hospitals. We are aware of the sensitivity of hospitals… [But] “We are aware that Hamas is operating inside the hospitals… We are not dropping bombs on Al-Shifa,” CBS reported.
Smoke rises as displaced Palestinians take shelter at Al-Shifa hospital earlier this week.REUTERS Footage shows what the Israeli military says are its armed forces deployed and firing weapons in Gaza.via REUTERS
Palestinian officials claimed that the Israeli military was near other medical buildings on Friday, including the Indonesian hospital.
The World Health Organization reported “intense violence” and “significant” shelling at another medical center, Rantissi Hospital, early Friday.
“We are blocked inside the hospital by tanks and are exposed to intense gunfire against us. We have no electricity, no oxygen for patients, no fresh water. The situation here is very difficult and dangerous,” an alleged employee of the Nasser children’s hospital posted on social media.
Eighteen of Gaza’s 35 hospitals are now out of service due to damage or lack of fuel, the Health Ministry alleged. Drinking water has also been almost completely depleted in northern Gaza, as the desalination plant is not working.
Hamas has been the de facto ruler of the Gaza Strip since 2006, although the terrorist group seized power and has allowed no votes or opposition since.
As of Friday, Hamas’s armed wing said it was continuing to fire rockets and projectiles at Israel.
Israeli tanks have been in northern Gaza for about two weeks.via REUTERS Displaced Palestinians gather at Al-Shifa hospital.REUTERS Smoke seen over Gaza City on Thursday.REUTERS
However, the Israeli military has previously warned of Hamas’ cruelty and disregard for life, and that the organization would use civilian infrastructure to its advantage, saying: “While the world sees neighborhoods with schools, hospitals, scout groups, playgrounds and mosques, Hamas sees an opportunity to seize.”
IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari acknowledged Friday that they were involved in a “complex and difficult war” and that “at this stage, forces are operating deep inside Gaza City, taking control of strongholds of Hamas and fighting terrorists,” according to CNN.
Israeli tanks have been advancing through northern Gaza for more than two weeks in response to the deadly Hamas terrorist attack on October 7, which killed more than 1,400 people and took more than 240 hostage.
Remaining citizens are trying to flee northern Gaza through a checkpoint into southern Gaza, and Israeli forces are giving a daily four-hour break in the fighting for people to leave.
Intense airstrikes on Gaza continued into Friday night, as the United Nations estimated that 200,000 people had lost their homes in Gaza and 45% of homes had been damaged or destroyed in the two-week attack by UN forces. IDF.
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Source: vtt.edu.vn