Israel launches military operation at Shifa Hospital: Hamas headquarters may be there

There may be a command post for militants in the basements of the hospital / Collage 24 Channel

Israeli soldiers and technicians entered the territory of the Al-Shifa hospital. Earlier, the United States stated that the largest militant command post was located in the basements of the establishment.

The IDF says it warned authorities in the Gaza Strip the day before that it would carry out an operation at the Shifa hospital if militants did not stop using it as a hiding place within 12 hours. In addition, the military says it has organized a mass evacuation of people from the hospital.

What's happening in Shifa

The IDF operation at the hospital began at night. According to eyewitnesses, there are tanks and at least a hundred special forces troops on the territory of the establishment. Yes, they say that intense shooting and constant explosions were heard from the building.

As of 5:20, an Al Jazeera TV channel correspondent reported from the spot that there were Israeli tanks in the main courtyard of Al-Shifa, and Israeli army soldiers entered one of the hospital buildings.

There are no reports of any clashes or shooting inside the hospital yet. IDF soldiers search the basements of the hospital, they are sure that one of the largest Hamas headquarters is located there.

The militants, in turn, deny that they use their people as human shields. They accused the United States in advance of providing Israel with information that there might be terrorists in the basement of the hospital, thereby giving the green light to storm the hospital.

White House calls for deterrence from shooting in Shifa

A spokesman for the National Security Council at the US White House said his country is against airstrikes on the hospital and shooting inside the complex.

We do not support air strikes on a hospital and we would not want to see a shootout in a hospital where innocent people, helpless people, sick people trying to get medical care come under fire,” the official said.

How many people can be in the hospital?

It is not known exactly how many civilians are on the territory of the Al-Shifi hospital. The day before, WHO stated that there were about 700 patients, 400 staff and 300 thousand local residents who were hiding from the fighting, therefore, a total of 4,100 people.

Hamas announced that there are at least 2,300 people in al-Shifa.

Let us remind you that the IDF warned that before the operation began in the hospital, it opened a corridor for civilians to exit.