Gaza Hospital Raid by Israeli Forces Exacerbates Humanitarian Emergency
In the early hours of Monday, Israeli forces launched a raid on Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, alleging its use as a base of operations by Hamas militants. The operation led to a fire at the hospital entrance, causing suffocation among women and children, according to Gaza’s health ministry. Reports from Israeli media indicated that the military took control of the hospital premises and detained approximately 80 individuals.
Chief military spokesperson Daniel Hagari characterized the operation as “high-precision” and underscored that it was executed based on “concrete” intelligence regarding activities within the medical facility.
This raid unfolded against the backdrop of dire humanitarian conditions in Gaza. On Sunday, hundreds of Palestinians in Gaza City were awaiting food aid. The situation is particularly distressing in northern Gaza, which has borne the brunt of widespread devastation and has been largely isolated by Israeli forces since October.
Despite evacuation directives, an estimated 300,000 Palestinians are believed to have remained in the north, with reports emerging of some resorting to consuming animal feed in recent weeks. Aid organizations have faced significant challenges in delivering assistance due to Israeli-imposed restrictions, ongoing hostilities, and a breakdown of order.
In diplomatic engagements, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz held meetings with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday. Scholz reaffirmed Germany’s unwavering support for Israel amid escalating tensions in the region.
