In a dramatic turn of events, Israeli special forces carried out a raid on Nasser Hospital in Gaza, the largest functioning hospital in the enclave.
The hospital had been under siege for several days before the operation took place.
According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Thursday's raid led to the detention of several suspects, with intelligence gathered, in part, from released hostages playing a crucial role. The IDF asserted that the bodies of deceased hostages were believed to be held inside the hospital, a claim vehemently denied by Hamas, stating that the group had no involvement at the hospital.
Prior to the raid, the hospital faced shelling by Israeli forces, resulting in an "undetermined number of people" killed and injured, as reported by Doctors Without Borders (Médecins Sans Frontières or MSF). Following the attack, one MSF colleague remains unaccounted for.
The MSF staff was compelled to evacuate the hospital through an Israeli military checkpoint, where one employee was reportedly detained. Subsequent reports from southern Gaza alleged that Israeli snipers had shot individuals attempting to flee Nasser Hospital.
Israeli Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari commented on the raid, suggesting that "Hamas terrorists are likely hiding behind injured civilians inside Nasser hospital right now." These remarks followed a claim by a former hostage, aired on CNN, that she was held at Nasser Hospital—a statement unverified by CNN and denied by Hamas.
The situation escalated further as Israeli military bulldozers reportedly unearthed mass graves within the hospital complex. Dr. Al-Qidra, spokesperson for the Ministry of Health, revealed that the forces later "stormed the maternity building and conducted a search operation inside."
CNN sought the IDF's response to these allegations, but as of now, the IDF has not responded to any accusations made by the Ministry.
In a distressing development, Israeli forces compelled hospital management staff to accommodate nearly 200 patients, 95 medical workers, 11 of their families, and 165 companions and displaced individuals "under harsh and terrifying conditions without food, without infant formula, and with severe water shortages," according to Dr. Al-Qidra. The situation at Nasser Hospital remains a focal point amid escalating tensions in the region.
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