Israel launches overnight raid on Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza

Israeli forces have launched an overnight raid at Gaza’s largest medical facility, Al-Shifa Hospital, as heavy gunfire triggered panic inside the complex.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said its soldiers wereat Al-Shifa to carry out a «high precision operation in limited areas» following intel thatHamas terrorists were operating from the hospital.

A fire broke out in the hospital’s surgical wing due to Israeli bombing, reported Al-Jazeera, adding that some people were injured and killed. The local health authorities are yet to confirm any casualties.

Tanks surrounded the hospital in the dark of night and drones and quadcopters were also reported over the facility, causing panic among medics, patients, and other people who were inside the hospital.

“IDF troops are currently conducting a precise operation in the area of Shifa hospital – based on intelligence information indicating the use of the hospital by senior Hamas terrorists to conduct and promote terrorist activity,” IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari said.

Gaza’s health ministry, an agency of the Hamas-controlled government, said Israeli forces have “fabricated narratives to deceive the world” to justify the storming of the Al-Shifa hospital.

“We hold the Israeli occupation responsible for the lives of medical staff, patients and displaced people inside the Al-Shifa Medical Complex,” it said.

Unverified videos on social media showed dozens of people fleeing the hospital compound with their flashlights on as the sound of bombing rang out.

Rear Admiral Hagari said during the encirclement of the complex “terrorists opened fire from within the hospital” and soldiers returned fire.

Displaced Palestinians gather in the yard of Gaza’s Al-Shifa hospital on 10 December

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