Following a protracted stalemate, Israeli soldiers moved into Gaza’s Shifa hospital on Wednesday night.
Despite the fact that the hospital was packed with hundreds of patients and medical personnel, the Israeli Defence Force declared that it was conducting a “precise and targeted operation” against Hamas fighters.
Speaking from the air just hours before, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby backed Israeli accusations that Hamas was using al-Shifa Hospital as a command headquarters.
The National Security Council spokesman, John Kirby, stated, “I can confirm for you that we have information that Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad used some hospitals in the Gaza Strip, including al-Shifa, and tunnels underneath them to conceal and to support their military operations and to hold hostages.”
During the day the Hamas-run health ministry had called for a ceasefire to evacuate three dozen premature babies who were without working incubators . After days of air strikes around the hospital it’s power had been cut and images of the vulnerable babies raised international concern. BIG TEXT Earlier premature babies evacuated
The situation in Gaza’s other hospitals is also dire, with the UN saying 22 of 36 are not functional due to lack of generator fuel, damage and combat. The 14 hospitals remaining open have barely enough supplies to sustain critical and life-saving surgeries.
“I just heard the sound of bombing and found myself in the hospital. These are the safe areas they talk about. There’s no safe area in Gaza, not a market, not a park, not a school, not a hospital.”; said Raed Baker, displaced Palestinian from Beach refugee camp.
Hamas continues to deny the Israeli accusations that it uses hospitals in particular al Shifa , to conceal or support their military operations and to hold hostages.
