Israeli forces arrested Muhammad Abu Salamiya, director of Gaza’s Al-Shifa hospital, on Thursday. The arrest was allegedly over the hospital’s apparent use by Hamas. Al-Shifa, the largest hospital in Gaza, was a major focus of an Israeli ground offensive following attacks by Hamas on Oct. 7. The Israeli army alleges that Hamas fighters used a tunnel complex beneath the facility to stage attacks. However, both Hamas and hospital officials have repeatedly denied these claims.
Salmiya, along with another doctor and two nurses, were arrested. The Israeli military claimed that the hospital under Salmiya’s management served as a Hamas command and control center. Hamas, on the other hand, condemned the arrests and called for the immediate release of those detained.
Health ministry spokesman, Ashraf al-Qudra, reported that the Indonestian Hospital in Gaza City was heavily bombarded, threatening patients and staff. Meanwhile, Al-Shifa hospital saw extended Israeli special forces operations as part of Israel’s war against Gaza militants.
Amidst the conflict, nearly 15,000 people have been killed, and around 240 taken hostage. Repeated evacuations of injured and sick people from Al-Shifa have been conducted by international bodies to ensure their safety.
The hospital, Israel, Hamas, and the ongoing war are part of the extended Israeli special forces operations as part of Israel’s war against Gaza militants. Meanwhile, the Hamas-run government in Gaza says nearly 15,000 people have been killed since the Israeli military campaign began, most of them women and children.
