© Reuters. Palestinian sufferers relaxation as they arrive in Rafah after they had been evacuated from Nasser hospital in Khan Younis as a result of Israeli floor operation, amid the continued battle between Israel and Hamas, within the southern Gaza Strip, February 15, 2024. REUTERS
By James Mackenzie and Nidal al-Mughrabi
JERUSALEM/DOHA (Reuters) – Israeli forces raided the most important functioning hospital in Gaza, they stated on Thursday, as video posted on-line confirmed chaos, shouting and the sound of capturing in darkened corridors that had been crammed with mud and smoke.
Israel’s army described its raid on Nasser Hospital as “exact and restricted” and stated it was based mostly on credible data that Hamas was hiding within the facility, had saved hostages there and that our bodies of hostages should still be there.
A spokesperson for Hamas denied that, calling it “lies”.
Well being authorities within the Hamas-run enclave stated Israel had compelled out displaced folks and households of medical employees sheltering in Nasser Hospital.
The struggle started on Oct. 7 when Hamas despatched fighters into Israel, killing 1,200 folks, largely civilians, and seizing 253 hostages in response to Israeli tallies.
Israel’s air and floor offensive has since devastated tiny, crowded Gaza, killing greater than 28,500 folks, additionally largely civilian, in response to well being authorities within the Hamas-run strip and forcing practically all its inhabitants from their properties.
The U.N. humanitarian workplace had stated on Wednesday that Nasser Hospital was besieged by Israeli forces with allegations of sniper hearth on the facility, endangering the lives of medics, sufferers and hundreds of displaced folks.
The medical charity Medicins San Frontieres stated folks ordered by Israel to evacuate the hospital confronted an unattainable selection to remain “and turn into a possible goal” or go away “into an apocalyptic panorama” of bombings.
Combating on the hospital comes as Israel faces rising worldwide strain to indicate restraint in its Gaza struggle, after vowing to press its offensive into Rafah, the final comparatively protected place for civilians within the enclave.
Assaults on medical services in Gaza have brought about explicit concern all through the battle, together with Israeli raids on hospitals in different cities, shelling within the neighborhood of hospitals and the focusing on of ambulances.
As large bombardment destroyed swathes of residential districts and compelled most individuals from their properties, hospitals shortly grew to become the main target of displaced camps as folks sought shelter round buildings they thought extra more likely to be protected.
Israel accuses Hamas of repeatedly utilizing hospitals, ambulances and different medical services for army functions, and has proven footage its troops have taken of tunnels containing weapons under some hospitals.
The Israeli army later stated it had apprehended quite a lot of suspects on the hospital and that its operations there have been persevering with.
Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri stated Israel’s assertion accusing the group of hiding fighters or preserving hostages on the hospital was “lies”. He added that “all earlier Israeli allegations in opposition to hospitals had confirmed to be false”.