Conflicts & War

Gaza’s Shifa hospital besieged for 4th time with snipers, tanks

Jerusalem, Mar 18 (EFE).- Israel’s army on Monday morning besieged the important Shifa hospital in Gaza City for the fourth time since the war began in the Strip with tanks and snipers, causing deaths among the more than 30,000 displaced people taking refuge inside.

“During the encirclement, terrorists opened fire from within the hospital compound at our forces, who returned fire and hit the terrorists. Our forces continue to operate in the area of ​​the hospital,” the army said in a statement, adding that they were “now working in a targeted manner to counter terrorism and arrest terrorists in the area of ​​Shifa Hospital.”

The Gaza Health Ministry, which called the operation a “massacre against the sick, wounded, displaced and medical personnel,” said Israeli forces fired bullets directly into the medical complex building where specialized surgeries are performed and targeted it with missiles. It also said Israel introduced tanks and military vehicles into the complex’s patios.

“It is a true tragedy and an attack on health institutions that violates all international laws and norms,” said a Ministry spokesperson about the fourth Israeli operation inside the hospital, which is still ongoing.

The ministry said that since 2am local time (00:00 GMT) there have been a number of deaths and injuries and anyone who tries to move around the medical center is the target of sniper and drone attacks.

They said that due to the fire’s intensity, a fire broke out at the door of the hospital, which caused cases of asphyxiation among displaced women and children, in addition to the center’s communications being cut off.

The army said its forces received instructions on the importance of operating with caution and the need to avoid harm to patients, civilians and medical personnel, in addition to having brought Arabic speakers to facilitate dialog with them.

A military spokesman said troops would continue humanitarian efforts in the area, during and after the conclusion of the operation, providing food, water and medical supplies to patients and civilians on the hospital grounds.

Israel said its operation in Shifa follows international law and fights Hamas, who it accused of operating from hospitals and civilian infrastructures.

“During the encirclement, terrorists opened fire from within the hospital compound at our forces, who returned fire and hit the terrorists. Our forces continue to operate in the area of ​​the hospital,” the army said.

As evidence supporting the operation, the army released a conversation between a COGAT liaison – the military organization managing civil and administrative affairs in the occupied territories – with the director of Shifa. In it, they allegedly informed about Hamas’ presence in the hospital.

It is the fourth time Israel attacks this hospital, the most important in the Gaza Strip.

The first time was in November, when they kept it surrounded for more than 10 days; ordering the evacuation of thousands of displaced wounded and sick. They detained numerous medical personnel, including its director, and said he had seized numerous Hamas weapons and material. EFE

sga/lds

Related Articles

Back to top button