The IDF is conducting an operation in al-Shifa, Gaza's largest hospital

The Israeli army announced on Monday that it was carrying out the operation at Al-Shifa Hospital, the largest hospital in the Gaza Strip. “tens of thousands” Displaced according to Hamas, witnesses confirmed to AFP that they heard the blasts. Israeli soldiers “They are currently carrying out a targeted operation in the area of ​​Al-Shifa Hospital” In Gaza City (in the north), the press release of the Israeli army reported on Monday morning, and it said “The operation was based on information indicating that the hospital had been used by Hamas terrorists.”.

At the site, witnesses confirmed to AFP “Flight Operations” The health facility where the people reportedly fell is located in the Al-Rimal neighborhood in Gaza City “piece”. The people of the area said “More than 45 Israeli tanks and armored personnel carriers” entered Al-Rimal. Some say “fights” Around the hospital. The Israeli army addresses residents through loudspeakers, urging them to stay at home “Drones shoot people on streets near hospital”According to witnesses at the site interviewed by AFP.

The news service of the government of the Palestinian terrorist movement Hamas confirmed that al-Shifa Hospital. “bomb dropped”indicates that “Tens of thousands of people have been displaced.” were in the building. “The attack on Al-Shifa Medical Complex with tanks, drones and weapons and firing into it is a war crime”Added the same source.

Rafa Attack “Will Happen”

Since the start of the war between Israel and Hamas, fueled by the Palestinian terrorist movement's bloody attacks, the Israeli military has accused Hamas of using health facilities as command centers. On 15 November the Israeli army entered Al-Shifa Hospital before retreating. She found it there “Arms, Weapons and Military Equipment” Hamas denied the move. Israel said it found a 55-meter-long tunnel under the establishment, which it said had been used. “for terrorism”.

Read moreHamas-Israel conflict: Why the law of war allows, in rare cases, to attack a hospital

The hospital is no longer operationalA minimum And with a small group. According to the UN, less than a third of hospitals in the Gaza Strip are functional, and only partially so. Across the besieged coastal region, the human toll of the war between Israel and Hamas continues to rise, with 31,645 dead since October 7, according to the Hamas health ministry. On that day, Hamas commandos infiltrated from Gaza launched an unprecedented attack in southern Israel, killing at least 1,160 people, most of them civilians, according to an AFP tally from official sources.

About 250 people have been kidnapped, 130 of whom are still being held in Gaza, and 33 of them are believed to be dead, including a 22-year-old soldier killed by the Israeli army on Sunday. In response, Israel vowed to destroy Hamas, which has been in power in Gaza since 2007, which it considers a terrorist organization along with the United States and the European Union. Most of the 1.7 million people displaced by the war, according to the UN, have taken refuge in the city of Rafah (southern), which is located on the closed border with Egypt and is under daily bombardment by the Israeli army.

While reaffirming its commitment to launch a ground offensive in Rafah, “Hamas' Last Bastion” According to Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu promised on Sunday that such a move would not be carried out “by confining the population”. The international community fears such an attack. Washington, a key ally of Israel, reiterates its opposition to any attack that endangers its citizens who are refugees there. “No international pressure will prevent us from achieving all the objectives of our war (…) We will operate in Rafah, it will take a few weeks but it will happen”Benjamin Netanyahu announced according to his services.

“Stop the Bombs”

Palestinians “Stop the Bombing”, Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar announced, pleading for a ceasefire in Gaza on Sunday. Residents “Food, medicine and shelter are desperately needed”, he added. Israel restricts the entry of land aid into Gaza, which is insufficient to meet the overwhelming needs of the 2.4 million people, most of whom are threatened by famine according to the UN.

According to the NGO Oxfam, Israel prevents “on purpose” Entry of humanitarian aid such as food or medical equipment into Gaza in violation of international humanitarian law. In a statement released on Monday, the NGO condemned the aid study protocol “unreasonably useless” Or even “Attacks against Humanitarian Personnel, Aid Structures and Humanitarian Convoys”.

Read more“We refuse to give terrorists the means to continue waging war on us”: These radical Israelis are trying to block humanitarian aid to Gaza

The mediating countries – the US, Qatar and Egypt – are trying to reach a new truce after a week in late November. Netanyahu said he would not accept the deal “It makes Israel weak and unable to defend itself.”. In a new proposal, Hamas said it was ready for a six-week ceasefire during which 42 hostages — women, children, the elderly and the sick — would be released in exchange for 20 to 50 Palestinian prisoners for every hostage freed. and demands “Withdrawal of army from cities and populated areas”The “Return of Migrants” And 500 aid trucks a day enter Gaza, one of its executives said.