Tel Aviv [Israel], November 16: Israel said it found weapons inside Al-Shifa hospital but did not see the whereabouts of the hostages after sending forces and tanks into the facility.
The Times of Israel reported on November 15 that soldiers discovered weapons and assets of Hamas inside Al-Shifa hospital , showing the presence of this group.
However, soldiers have yet to see any sign of the hostages believed to be held at the hospital. Besides, no conflicts occurred between soldiers and patients and hospital staff. At least 5 Hamas gunmen were killed in a gun battle outside the hospital.
An anonymous Israeli security official predicted that the operation in Al-Shifa would be expanded if necessary. "We stormed Al-Shifa only when we knew exactly what was there, similar to Rantisi hospital, which was raided when we knew exactly what was in the basement there," the official said. .
The Israeli army launched a precisely targeted attack campaign on Al-Shifa hospital early on November 15, not long after the US confirmed that it had intelligence showing that Hamas hid military activities and hostages in the camps. tunnel under the hospital.
CNN quoted reporter Khader Al Za'anoun of the Palestinian news agency Wafa as saying that Israeli tanks and military vehicles had moved into the hospital grounds and used loudspeakers to call on the youth inside to come out.
Mr. Za'anoun described Israeli soldiers going into buildings to search and question young men while a tense gun battle took place.
Doctor Ahmed El Mokhallalati told Reuters from the hospital that the exchange of gunfire forced staff to move away from windows and seek shelter. "Bombs exploded, gun battles were fought around and inside the hospital. It was terrible because you could feel it very close to the hospital. We saw tanks moving around," Mr. El Mokhallalati said, at the same time. denied accusations that Hamas had a tunnel under the hospital.
World Health Organization (WHO) Director General TedrosAdhanomGhebreyesus announced that contact with medical staff at Al-Shifa was lost after Israeli forces stormed the hospital. "We are extremely concerned for their safety and that of our patients. The protection of infants, patients, medical staff and the entire civilian population must come before all other concerns. Hospitals are not is a battlefield," Mr. Ghebreyesus wrote on social network X.
Meanwhile, the Israeli army said it brought newborn incubators, baby food and other medical necessities to Al-Shifa hospital. Medical teams and Arabic-speaking soldiers ensure the supplies are delivered to the right people.
The Palestinian Authority led by President Mahmoud Abbas condemned the Israeli raid on Al-Shifa hospital as a violation of international law. Jordan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs also issued a similar statement and called on Israel to end its military activities in the Gaza Strip.
Meanwhile, speaking in parliament on November 15, Turkish President RecepTayyip Erdogan called Israel a "terrorist state for committing war crimes and violating international law" in Gaza, according to Reuters. Mr. Erdogan emphasized that Hamas is a political party elected by Palestinians, not a "terrorist organization" as Israel sees it.
Source: ThanhNien Newspaper