Gaza’s largest hospital under heavy Israeli raid for second day

Intense conflict has surged around Gaza Strip’s largest hospital, Shifa, for the second consecutive day, with Israeli forces engaging in heavy combat within and around the facility. The Israeli military reported eliminating 50 Hamas militants in the hospital, a claim that couldn’t be independently verified, and which was countered by Hamas stating those killed were civilians.

This recent assault marks a further blow to the Shifa complex, partially operational after a devastating attack in November. Amidst the current onslaught, thousands, including patients, medical staff, and displaced individuals, find themselves trapped within the hospital’s confines as clashes intensify in adjacent areas.

The Israeli military justified the raid, initiated early Monday, by alleging Hamas militants had regrouped within the hospital to orchestrate attacks. Despite this assertion, the specifics remain unverified, highlighting Hamas’s enduring presence in northern Gaza, a region Israeli ground forces previously claimed to have subdued.

The broader conflict, ignited by a Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, has drastically escalated tensions, leading to significant casualties on both sides and heightened geopolitical strains reminiscent of Cold War-era confrontations.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to emphasize the necessity of extending military operations, including a potential invasion of Rafah, despite international concerns about the humanitarian implications and U.S. President Joe Biden’s calls for alternative strategies to target Hamas operatives more precisely.

In a November raid, the Israeli army claimed to have discovered a Hamas command center within the Shifa Hospital, allegations met with skepticism and criticism for endangering civilian lives. With the recent assault, reports of mass detentions, including accusations against individuals of being Hamas or Islamic Jihad fighters, have emerged, along with the evacuation of some patients to nearby medical facilities.

Amidst this turmoil, fears of arrest or getting caught in the crossfire have prevented many from evacuating, as the Israeli military has called for, illustrating the deepening humanitarian crisis. The Gaza Health Ministry reports a staggering number of casualties since the conflict’s onset, with the majority being women and children, further underscoring the dire situation.

As the war continues, both sides report significant losses, and international efforts to mediate a ceasefire and address the humanitarian disaster remain critical.