Tensions flared up again in Gaza yesterday as Israeli troops carried out a sensitive operation near Al-Shifa Hospital. The military said their intelligence had uncovered that senior Hamas leaders were hiding out in the complex.
When soldiers moved in, they came under fire, which they responded to with live ammunition. According to reports, this triggered a ferocious blaze in one of the hospital buildings. Terrified patients, doctors and displaced families were trapped inside amid suffocating smoke.
Health authorities relayed desperate pleas for help but claimed Israeli targeting made rescue attempts impossible. Several casualties, including deaths, were reported as the fire raged out of control. Hamas strongly condemned the raid, accusing Israel of further endangering lives with reckless disregard.
While the military stressed that their operation was “precise” to avoid harm, this sensitive location had been embroiled in accusations. As one of Gaza’s few remaining health facilities, Israel has long insinuated that Hamas uses it for militant purposes – charges denied vehemently.
With tensions running high on both sides, international observers worry this latest incident could exacerbate an already dire humanitarian situation in the blockaded strip. As the smouldering hospital buildings bear grim witness, deeper questions linger over protecting civilians from harm during the conflict.
