Israeli army conducts operation at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza

The Israeli army has carried out an operation at Al-Shifa Hospital, the largest hospital in Gaza, alleging that Hamas members are hiding there.

The operation was launched after the U.S. shared intelligence information suggesting that Hamas was using certain hospitals in Gaza for cover.

OFFICIAL STATEMENT FROM THE ISRAELI ARMY

The Israeli army, which conducted the operation at the hospital, issued the following statement: “We had warned Hamas repeatedly about Al-Shifa Hospital. Currently, our troops are conducting a series of operations against Hamas at Al-Shifa Hospital. We call on all Hamas members present in the hospital to surrender.”

The British news agency Reuters also reported that Israeli forces carried out the operation in a specific area of the hospital and that, before beginning the operation, they called on all Hamas members they claimed were in the hospital to "surrender."

It was announced that Arabic translators and medical teams were supporting the operation to communicate with civilians.

The Israeli army announced that the operation was launched based on intelligence information.

It was stated that the Israeli forces entering the hospital had received special training for the operation.

"ISRAELI TANKS ARE STANDING AT THE HOSPITAL GATE"

Ministry Spokesperson Ashraf al-Qudra, writing on the Gaza Ministry of Health's Facebook page, stated that Israeli forces subjected the hospital to heavy bombardment and intense gunfire.

Stating that "Israeli tanks are standing at the hospital gate," al-Qudra continued:

"The Israeli occupation, having continued heavy bombardment and intense gunfire for two hours, has surrounded the Al-Shifa Medical Center from all sides and is now putting everyone inside into a circle of death."

Al-Qudra pointed out that there are 1,500 medical staff and about 7,000 displaced people inside Al-Shifa Hospital.

HAMAS: WE HOLD ISRAEL AND BIDEN RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ATTACKS

A statement was made by Hamas regarding the attack.

The statement included the following remarks:

"We hold the occupying Israel and U.S. President Biden responsible for the attack. As a result of this brutal crime committed against a health facility protected by the Geneva Convention, the occupation leaders and all those who cooperate with them will be held responsible for killing children, the sick, and defenseless civilians."

INTELLIGENCE STATEMENT HAD COME FROM THE WHITE HOUSE

White House National Security Council Coordinator for Strategic Communications John Kirby had claimed that they had received intelligence that Hamas was using "tunnels under" some hospitals in Gaza to "hide, conduct military operations, and hold hostages."

According to the intelligence in question, Kirby argued that some hospitals in Gaza, including Al-Shifa Hospital, were being used by Hamas to "hide, conduct military operations, and hold hostages."

Stating that they do not support airstrikes on hospitals, Kirby had said, "Hospitals and patients must be protected. We do not want to see a firefight in a hospital where innocent, helpless, and sick people are simply trying to get the treatment they deserve."