The Israel Defense Forces says it is carrying out a "precise and targeted operation against Hamas in a specified area" of Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza.
The ground operation, based on intelligence and "operation necessity," came after the Israeli military had repeatedly warned Hamas against using the hospital as a base for its operations, the IDF said in a statement issued Wednesday morning local time.
"Yesterday, the IDF conveyed to the relevant authorities in Gaza once again that all military activities within the hospital must cease within 12 hours. Unfortunately, it did not," the Israeli military said, adding that Hamas's alleged use of the hospital violates international law.
The announcement came one day after President Biden said that hospitals in the Gaza Strip "must be protected."
"My hope and expectation is that there will be less intrusive action relative to hospitals," Mr. Biden said in response to questions from journalists.
The IDF said its forces involved in the operation include medical teams and Arabic speakers "who have undergone specified training to prepare for this complex and sensitive environment, with the intent that no harm is caused to the civilians being used by Hamas as human shields."
Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City Faces Tense Standoff
The situation for patients at Al-Shifa Hospital, the largest hospital in the Palestinian territory of Gaza, has been described as "dire and perilous" by the World Health Organization.
Accusations have been made by Israel that Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, has an underground headquarters beneath the hospital. However, both Hamas and doctors at Al-Shifa deny these claims. Israeli and U.S. officials have highlighted Hamas' history of using civilian homes, schools, and hospitals to store weapons and position fighters.
John Kirby, the U.S. National Security Council coordinator for strategic communications, stated on Tuesday that they have received information indicating that Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad utilize hospitals, including Al-Shifa, and tunnels beneath them to conceal and support their military operations, as well as to hold hostages.
Kirby emphasized that Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad have a "command and control node" operating from Al-Shifa. He also made it clear that while they do not support airstrikes on hospitals, they do not want to see a firefight within a hospital where innocent and vulnerable people seeking medical care are caught in the crossfire. The protection of hospitals and patients is of utmost importance.
Hamas launched an attack on Israel on Saturday, Oct. 7, causing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to declare a state of war. Israel claims that the attack, which originated from the Gaza Strip, resulted in the deaths of at least 1,200 people, mostly civilians.
Netanyahu has demanded the release of approximately 240 hostages held in Gaza as a condition for a cease-fire. However, Israel's response to the attack has created a divide within the international community.
According to the Health Ministry in Gaza, over 11,070 Palestinians, including two-thirds women and minors, have been killed since the start of the war. The ministry does not differentiate between civilian and militant casualties. Additionally, around 2,700 people are reported missing and are believed to be trapped or dead under the rubble.
The United Nations estimates that over 1.5 million people, more than two-thirds of Gaza's population, have been displaced and have fled to the south to escape the intense fighting in the north. Meanwhile, approximately 250,000 Israelis have been forced to evacuate from communities near Gaza and along the northern border with Lebanon, where clashes between Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants have occurred.
—This report includes contributions from Camilla Schick, Margaret Brennan, and Haley Ott.
