Israeli troops end 19-day siege of Al-Shifa hospital

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After a 19-day siege, Israeli troops have withdrawn from Gaza's Al-Shifa Hospital, leaving behind scenes of utter devastation and reports of numerous casualties. The raid, which began on March 18, resulted in parts of the hospital being completely destroyed, raising concerns about the well-being of patients and the integrity of medical facilities in conflict zones.

 

According to eyewitnesses, the compound bore witness to "total destruction" as Israeli forces conducted close-quarters encounters with alleged terrorists, seized weapons and intelligence documents, and detained around 900 people. The Israeli army claims that over 500 of those detained were identified as operatives of Hamas or Palestinian Islamic Jihad. More than 200 gunmen dead. Among those killed and detained were top commanders in Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

 

 

Daniel Hagari, an IDF spokesman, revealed that among those arrested were "very important Hamas officials," though their identities were not immediately disclosed to avoid compromising ongoing intelligence operations. He also cited reports indicating that militants had chosen Al-Shifa Hospital as a strategic regrouping point due to its protected status, further exacerbating the complexities of the situation. 

 

Images emerging from the hospital depict a grim reality, with charred and heavily damaged buildings, scattered debris, and reports of bodies strewn across the compound. The extent of the destruction has prompted outrage and condemnation from Gaza's Hamas-controlled health ministry, which reported the recovery of dozens of bodies, some in a decomposed state.

 

Aerial footage of the hospital compound reveals widespread devastation, with not a single building left standing. Graphic photographs from the bulldozed areas depict a harrowing scene of destruction and loss.

 

While the Israeli army maintains that efforts were made to minimize civilian casualties, concerns remain about the fate of patients who were unable to be evacuated during the siege. Despite the withdrawal of Israeli troops, the aftermath of the raid leaves a stark reminder of the toll that conflict takes on civilian infrastructure and human lives.

 

As the international community grapples with the aftermath of the Al-Shifa Hospital siege, questions arise about the protection of medical facilities in conflict zones and the imperative of upholding humanitarian principles amidst the fog of war.

 

02.04.24

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[Bkk Brian]

A bit of perspective on Al-Shifa and its use as a terror base for Hamas for years including bringing hostages there recently. An Amnesty report citied evidence of Hamas torturing and killing prisoners held there.

 

The Real Gaza Hospital Crisis

During the 2014 war between Hamas and Israel, multiple credible media outlets reported on the Hamas operations in the Gaza hospital. The Washington Post reported that Shifa was a “de facto headquarters” for Hamas. Wall Street Journal reporter Nick Casey tweeted an image of a Hamas spokesman giving an interview at a Gaza hospital, saying, “You have to wonder … how patients at Shifa hospital feel as Hamas uses it as a safe place to see media.” The tweet was later deleted. Similarly, Palestinian journalist Radjaa Abou Dagga wrote about how Hamas used Shifa for military purposes, but then sought to remove the article, fearing for his family’s safety.

An open source intelligence report also published in Israel that year cited Palestinian sources who noted that Hamas used Shifa’s x-ray department as a jail and interrogation facility. An Amnesty International report the following year cited evidence of Hamas torturing and killing prisoners in Shifa.

https://www.fdd.org/analysis/2023/10/23/the-real-gaza-hospital-crisis/

[Rimmer]

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