The Israeli military called the raid on Nasser Hospital “precise and limited”. It said it was based on information that Hamas militants were hiding in the facility and holding hostages. Hamas called this a lie.
Health authorities in the Hamas-run Palestinian enclave said Israel had forced dozens of staff, patients, residents and families of health workers to leave the hospital. They said about 2,000 Palestinians had reached the southern border town of Rafah overnight while others headed north towards Deir Al-Balah in central Gaza.
Children in Rafah. Photo: Reuters
In a new operation, the Israeli military said it carried out an air strike that killed a Hamas commander who had taken part in the October 7 attack.
Medical charity Medicins San Frontieres said Israel shelled Nasser Hospital in the early hours, despite telling medical staff and patients they could stay.
Fighting at the hospital came as Israel faced growing international pressure to show restraint, after vowing to attack Rafah, the last relative safe haven in Gaza.
Speaking about the hospital raid, Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said "this sensitive operation was precisely prepared and is being carried out by IDF special forces who have undergone specific training".
Gaza Health Authority spokesman Ashraf al-Qidra said the hospital would run out of fuel within the next 24 hours, threatening the lives of patients, including six children in intensive care and three newborns in the neonatal unit.
Mai Van (according to Reuters)
Source
Comment (0)