:quality(85)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/infobae/XU7UNCRUJVHATFLZYHGDGHU7Z4.jpg "Israel announced a special operation in central Gaza against the leaders of the Hamas terrorist group")
Israeli Army Conducts Precision Operation at Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza
The Israeli Army announced early Monday that it is carrying out a “precise operation” at the Al Shifa hospital, the largest hospital complex in the Gaza Strip, alleging that it has intelligence information indicating the “use” of the building by “senior terrorists” of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas).
Army spokesman Daniel Hagari stated that the operation is a high-precision one in response to intelligence reports that demand immediate action. He denied allegations of mandatory evacuation of the hospital, emphasizing that senior Hamas officials have regrouped inside the facility to carry out attacks against Israel.
Hagari stressed that the operation is necessary and that the Israeli Armed Forces have undergone specific training to handle sensitive and complex scenarios. The army reiterated that their war is against Hamas, not the people of Gaza.
Residents were instructed to stay in their homes while drones operated in the streets near the hospital. Despite the operation, the army assured that precautions were taken to avoid harming civilians, patients, and medical personnel.
In November, the Israeli Army claimed to have found ammunition, weapons, and military equipment of the Islamist group in the hospital, which Hamas denied. The army also claimed to have discovered a 55-meter tunnel used for terrorism under the hospital.
Israel accuses Hamas of using medical facilities as command centers. Less than a third of Gaza’s hospitals are operational, according to the UN. The hospital is operating with minimal capacity and a reduced team.
This operation comes as tensions continue between Israel and Hamas, with ongoing conflict in the region.