Israel has conducted a raid on al Shifa hospital in Gaza, which is the largest medical facility in the area. The raid took place after the US backed Israel’s claims that the hospital was being used by Hamas fighters. Israeli forces stated that they entered a specific area of the hospital for a precise and targeted operation against Hamas. Hamas denied the claims and accused US President Joe Biden of giving Israel the green light to carry out the raid. The White House stated that it did not support airstrikes on the hospital and emphasized the need to protect patients during the operation. While many people have fled the hospital, there are still approximately 650 patients, 500 staff members, and 2,500 displaced Palestinians inside, according to UN estimates. The IDF spokesperson stated that Israeli forces were not overrunning the hospital but were conducting a targeted operation in a specific location. Israel has previously claimed that al Shifa and other hospitals have been used as bases by Hamas. The IDF warned that the hospital could lose its protected status if used to hide fighters or store weapons. The IDF announced the launch of the targeted operation at the hospital despite President Biden’s expectation for less intrusive action. Hamas condemned the claims and rejected them, but the IDF proceeded with the raid. The IDF stated that it had warned Hamas to cease all military activities within the hospital, but they did not comply. Hamas held Israel, President Biden, and his administration responsible for the consequences of the raid on the health facility. The raid occurred amidst claims of a humanitarian crisis at the hospital, with patients dying due to a lack of fuel for the emergency generator. The military stated that they were working to bring incubators into Gaza, but it was unclear if they had been delivered or how they would be powered. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, over 11,255 Palestinians have been killed since Israel launched its retaliatory strikes.
