Clashes at Al-Shifa Hospital: Israeli-Palestinian Fighting Leaves Hospitals Destroyed and Civilians Displaced
On Thursday, Israeli forces clashed with Palestinian fighters around Gaza's Al-Shifa Hospital.
The armed wings of Hamas and Islamic Jihad claimed they attacked soldiers and tanks with rockets and mortar fire.
The Israeli army stated they were still operating in the hospital complex, having stormed it over a week ago.
They reported killing around 200 gunmen since the start of the operation, while ensuring the safety of civilians, patients, medical teams, and equipment.
Gaza's health ministry reported wounded people and patients were being held in an administration building without proper healthcare facilities.
Five patient deaths had occurred due to shortages of food, water, and medical care since the Israeli raid began.
Al-Shifa, the largest hospital in the Gaza Strip before the war, was partially operational in north Gaza and housing displaced civilians.
Unverified footage on social media showed its surgery unit engulfed in flames and nearby apartments destroyed.
Hamas and Islamic Jihad militant groups claimed responsibility for attacking Israeli soldiers in the area with mortar shells and an anti-tank rocket.
The Israeli military alleged militants fired at their troops from both inside and outside the ER building.
Israel is conducting military operations in Gaza, targeting Hamas militants using civilian buildings for cover.
Hamas denies the allegation.
The health ministry reported that since October 7, at least 32,552 Palestinians have been killed and 74,980 wounded.
Thousands more are believed to be buried under rubble, and over 80% of Gaza's population is displaced, with many at risk of famine.
The conflict began when Hamas militants breached the border and attacked communities in southern Israel, resulting in over 1,200 deaths and 253 hostages taken, according to Israeli reports.
Two more hospitals, Al-Amal and Nasser, in Khan Younis, are under siege, and several other areas in the city are coming under Israeli fire, according to residents.
On February 9, Israeli soldiers raided Al-Amal hospital in the Gaza Strip and arrested seven Palestinian Red Crescent workers, including the director of ambulance and emergency services, Mohammed Abu Musabeh.
They were held in Israeli prisons for 47 days.
Eight other members of the association are still detained.
Israel claimed that soldiers had discovered explosives and dozens of Kalashnikov-type weapons in the Al-Amal area during the raid.
The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that Al-Amal Hospital had ceased to function due to the fighting, leaving only 10 of the 36 hospitals in Gaza partially operational.
WHO demanded an immediate end to attacks on hospitals in Gaza and called for the protection of health staff, patients, and civilians.
In Rafah, a million people are taking shelter, and health officials report that an Israeli airstrike on a house resulted in the deaths of eight people and injuries to others.
Israel intends to launch a ground offensive into Rafah, believing that most Hamas fighters are hiding there.
However, the United States, Israel's closest ally and main arms supplier, opposes this assault due to concerns about the harm it could cause to civilians seeking refuge in the area.