Israeli forces took control of two more hospitals in Gaza on Sunday (Mar 24), amid claims that healthcare facilities in the besieged territory are used by Hamas operatives. The Palestinian Red Crescent said Israel’s offensive pinned down medical staff under heavy gunfire, killing at least one of its staff. It said Israeli tanks suddenly pushed back into areas around Al-Amal and Nasser hospitals in the southern city of Khan Younis.
The Palestinian Red Crescent claimed Israeli forces were demanding the complete evacuation of staff, patients and refugees from the two hospitals and throwing smoke bombs inside to force them out.
Israel’s response
Israel claimed the action was taken following “precise intelligence … which indicated that terrorists are using civilian infrastructure for terror activities in the area of Al-Amal.”
Earlier, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) took control of Al Shifa Hospital last week, Gaza’s main hospital partially operational in the north.
The IDF said it raided the hospital and killed over 170 gunmen. The Palestinian Red Crescent claimed at least five patients also died during the operation.
“Right now, Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists are barricading themselves inside Shifa hospital wards,” said Israeli military spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari.
Hamas vehemently denies these allegations
Hamas-run Gaza’s media office in a statement said, “How can they claim this while their soldiers roam and frolic inside the complex with ease, conducting interrogations with displaced persons, patients, and the wounded.”
Health facilities turn into refugee shelters
In Gaza’s healthcare facilities, which are partially operational due to logistical issues as well as IDF’s military offensive, around 2 million civilians have taken shelter. This is about 80 per cent of the territory’s population, highlighting the staggering levels of displacement caused due to the war.
Watch: Israel war: Over 200,000 Palestinians missing from work amid war in Gaza
Gaza’s health ministry said in an update on Sunday that at least 32,226 Palestinians have been killed, among them 84 in the past 24 hours, and 74,518 injured in Israel’s air and ground offensive into the densely populated coastal territory since Oct. 7.
Disclaimer: WION takes utmost care to accurately and responsibly report ongoing developments on the Israel-Palestine conflict after the Hamas attacks. However, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos.
(With inputs from agencies)
