Israel: Hamas Headquarters 'Al-Sifa Hospital' Entered... Surrender Advised

Hospital housing Hamas command center
Concerns over many patients and refugees affected

The Israeli military announced that it has launched a sudden incursion into Al-Shifa Hospital, the largest hospital in the Gaza Strip that had been under siege and is known as Hamas's operational command and control center. The hospital houses numerous refugees as well as patients, raising concerns about large-scale civilian casualties.

Interior view of Al-Shifa Hospital, the largest hospital in Gaza City, the central city of the Gaza Strip, known to house Hamas's operational command and control center. [Image source=AFP·Yonhap News]

According to the Associated Press on the 15th (local time), the Israeli military stated, "Around 2 a.m., we conducted a precise and targeted operation in a specific area within Al-Shifa Hospital." The operation was based on intelligence deemed necessary for the mission, and it was emphasized that medical personnel and Arabic interpreters were included among the deployed forces. This is interpreted as a measure to minimize civilian casualties as much as possible.

The Israeli military demanded, "All Hamas operatives inside the hospital surrender," and reiterated that "if Hamas continues to use Al-Shifa Hospital militarily over the past few weeks, the hospital’s protected status under international law will be jeopardized." Despite concerns over civilian harm, Israel expressed its determination to seize the hospital, which is used as Hamas's operational command center.

Just before this announcement, the Gaza Ministry of Health, controlled by Hamas, stated that Israel had notified them of an imminent raid on Al-Shifa Hospital within minutes. The hospital is known as the largest medical facility in the Gaza Strip and as Hamas's command center. The Israeli military claims that Hamas’s key military facilities are concentrated there and that patients, medical staff, and refugees inside the hospital are being used as "human shields" by Hamas.

John Kirby, Coordinator for Strategic Communications at the U.S. National Security Council (NSC), also supported Israel’s claims during a briefing the previous day, stating, "There is intelligence that Hamas is using Al-Shifa Hospital and some other hospitals for military operations and to hide hostages."

Hamas and representatives of Al-Shifa Hospital have completely denied these allegations by Israel and the U.S., appealing to the international community that civilian casualties will increase if the Israeli military’s attack proceeds. It is currently reported that about 600 patients, 200 to 500 medical staff, and approximately 1,500 refugees are staying at Al-Shifa Hospital.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.