Israeli Forces Enter Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza to End Siege: What Happened Inside?

Israeli forces entered Gaza’s main hospital, Al Shifa, after days of fighting and explosions, prompting global concern for trapped civilians. The hospital was assaulted and Israeli troops clashed with gunmen, leading to heightened worries for patients’ safety. The Israeli military responded by stating that medical supplies have been brought into the hospital, but the situation remains tense as thousands of displaced civilians are trapped inside.

During the clash, Dr. Ahmed El Mohallalati conveyed his concerns for the well-being of his patients amidst the ongoing conflict with the Israeli military. He highlighted the intense fighting that erupted outside the facility and expressed relief that Israeli troops were now inside the compound, putting an “end point” to ongoing violence. Despite this, he remained anxious for his patients and the potential consequences of forced evacuation. Another witness inside the hospital described the troops’ entry into the compound and their subsequent searches, causing fear among those sheltering inside.

The situation drew sharp criticism from the U.N. as U.N. aid chief Martin Griffiths expressed concern for the hospital’s patients, describing it as being in “great peril”. The IDF justified the raid, emphasizing that it was necessary to target Hamas militants hiding within the Shifa hospital. This claim was vehemently opposed by Hamas, who condemned the assault as a “barbaric assault” on a health facility safeguarded by the Fourth Geneva Convention, which resulted in a “war crime”.

Furthermore, Israel’s campaign to annihilate Hamas, which controls Gaza, has taken a heavy toll on the civilian population, with thousands confirmed killed and many more homeless. Despite international alarm over the reported deaths of newborns in the hospital, the conflict shows no sign of abating.

A senior correspondent has extensively covered the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and its repercussions over the past 25 years.

(Source: Reuters)

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