Israeli raids on Gaza's main hospital were still going on Sunday, and Palestinians who had to leave said they were arrested in large groups and pushed pass dead bodies. The UN said Israel has begun stopping its main agency that helps Palestinians from sending food aid to the north of the enclave, which is in terrible shape.
The Israeli military sees its assault on Shifa Hospital, which started on Monday, as a blow to Hamas and other armed groups which it claims have gathered there as the war approaches its six-month mark. It purports to have murdered over 170 terrorists and captured over 480 suspects.
Israel Raids Gaza Hospital
Gaza is severely destroyed, currently Palestinian armed groups, especially Hamas, have persevered there. A similar raid in the early stages of the war killed 170 combatants from Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Hamas and forced Israeli forces to retreat.
500 terrorists, including top field commanders from both armed groups, were among the 800 IDF arrests. Weapons, millions of dollars, and Jordanian dinars were taken. There were three Israeli soldiers killed.
Thousands of Palestinians at al-Shifa had to relocate to shelter south of the hospital due to a barrier. While Israeli forces inspected each space, there were firefights and cases of the Israelis using small drones and bulldozers. Since the start of the fight, the greatest number of terrorists have been captured by another operation.
It has been rare in the five and a half months since Hamas began a cross-border onslaught on Israel on October 7 to see big confrontations between the IDF and Palestinian terrorists. Smaller cells and guerrilla tactics are used by Hamas members who are unable to confront IDF weapons.
A current IDF attack in Khan Younis, southern Gaza's largest city, targets "terrorist infrastructure" and operatives. Local media and the Palestinian Red Crescent Society said the city's al-Nasser and al-Amal hospitals, which the IDF attacked last month, are surrounded.
Some opponents said the tunnels below the hospital did not correspond to IDF assertions of a large command and control center, prompting worldwide outrage during Israel's first attack at al-Shifa in November.
Following withdrawing from much of northern Gaza, including al-Shifa, the IDF now conducts targeted operations with lesser forces. Others believe the al-Shifa attack and the massive number of terrorists in north Gaza show Hamas's resilience and Israel's lack of postwar preparedness, according to Financial Times.
IDF Launches New Offensive in Khan Younis, Gaza
The Israeli Defense Force (IDF) has launched a new offensive in Khan Younis, southern Gaza's largest city, targeting "terrorist infrastructure" and operatives. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society and local media reports claim that the city's al-Nasser and al-Amal hospitals, which the IDF raided last month, are being encircled.
Israel drew widespread international censure during its first operation at al-Shifa in November, with some critics arguing that the tunnels underneath the hospital did not meet IDF claims of a sprawling command and control center.
Since Israel has withdrawn from much of northern Gaza, including al-Shifa, the IDF uses fewer soldiers to carry out targeted operations. Others think that Israel's lack of postwar preparation and Hamas's tenacity are demonstrated by the al-Shifa attack and the large number of terrorists in north Gaza.
Over 32,000 Palestinians were killed and injured in Israel's al-Shifa hospital strike. Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas chairman, said Zionist control of al-Shifa hospital building indicates the enemy's plans to resurrect Gaza.
The southernmost Gaza town, Rafah, was hit by an Israeli air strike that killed seven. The Israeli attack on Gaza has killed 32,226 Palestinians and injured 74,518 since October 7.
The conflict began when Hamas-led Islamist terrorists broke the southern Israel border barrier, killing 1,200 and taking 253 captives to Gaza. Qatar and Egypt's US-backed mediation failed to bring Hamas-Israel peace, prison discharges, and famine relief to Gaza.
Hamas demands an agreement that involves an Israeli pledge to end the war and leave soldiers from Gaza, while Israel intends on continuing until Hamas is defeated both politically and militarily, USA Today reported.
Related Article: Israel Launches New Operation on Gaza's al-Shifa Hospital Following Intel on Hamas Terrorists Activity
