Gaza Strip: Israeli operation on al-Chifa hospital, the largest in the enclave
The Israeli army announced this Monday March 18 that it was carrying out an operation on al-Chifa hospital.
The largest hospital in the Gaza Strip, located in the north of the enclave, is hiding Hamas officials, according to the Israelis.
A view of the exterior of al-Chifa hospital in the Gaza Strip, here on November 10, 2023. © ISMAIL ZANOUN / AFP
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With our correspondent in Jerusalem,
Michael Paul
It was an operation that began in the middle of the night against this hospital, the largest in the
Gaza Strip
, the first to be targeted last November by the Israeli armed forces.
A limited operation, according to Israeli
army spokesperson
General Daniel Hagari: “The
IDF is conducting a high-precision operation in limited areas of the al-Chifa hospital.
This follows concrete intelligence that calls for immediate action.
We know that top Hamas terrorists have gathered in the hospital and are using it to direct operations against Israel.
»
On site, witnesses reported aerial bombardments on the Al-Rimal district where the hospital center is located which, according to Palestinian sources, would be surrounded by tanks.
There are also reports of an exchange of fire within the hospital grounds.
The health ministry in Hamas-controlled Gaza is calling on the international community to intervene to stop what is being described as a massacre.
Also read: In Gaza, the dismay of a psychologist faced with a population exhausted by Israeli bombings
A truce in sight?
At the same time, an Israeli delegation will finally resume negotiations for a truce and an exchange of Palestinian hostages-prisoners.
A difficult debate on a complicated situation.
The war cabinet and the enlarged security cabinet gave the green light to the resumption of negotiations in Doha.
In the coming hours, an Israeli delegation will visit Qatar.
It is led by Mossad chief David Barnea and would have expanded prerogatives to finalize an agreement on the basis of Hamas proposals which, the Israelis say, are bad, but offer a possible basis for negotiations.
“
It is difficult to say that we are optimistic
,” said an Israeli political source this Monday morning.
Read alsoNetanyahu rejects international pressure and affirms that the Rafah offensive will take place
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