Efe Jerusalem

Jerusalem

Updated Monday, March 18, 2024-08:03

The Israeli Army laid siege early Monday morning with tanks and snipers and attacked the

Al Shifa hospital in

Gaza

City

, the most important in the enclave, for the fourth time since the war began in the Strip, causing deaths among the more than 30,000 displaced people. They were taking refuge in that center, denounced the Gaza Ministry of Health, controlled by

Hamas

.

"Following intelligence information indicating the presence of terrorists in the Al Shifa hospital area and its use to carry out terrorist activities, the forces are carrying out a precise operation to thwart the terrorist activity and arrest the terrorists in the hospital grounds," the Israeli Army said.

The Gaza Health Ministry, which called the operation a "massacre against the sick, wounded, displaced and medical personnel," said Israeli forces fired bullets directly into the medical complex building where specialized surgeries are performed and targeted it with missiles. in addition to introducing tanks and military vehicles into the complex's patios.

"It is a true tragedy and an attack on health institutions that violates all international laws and norms," ​​said a Ministry spokesperson about the fourth Israeli operation inside the hospital.

The Ministry pointed out that since 2:00 a.m. local time (00:00 GMT) there have been

"a good number of deaths and injuries"

and anyone who tries to move around the medical center "is the target of sniper and drone bullets."

They also pointed out that due to the intensity of the fire, a fire broke out at the door of the hospital, which caused

cases of asphyxiation

among displaced women and children, in addition to the center's communications being cut off.

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For its part, the Army justified that its forces received instructions on the importance of operating with caution and the need to avoid harm to patients, civilians and medical personnel, in addition to having brought Arabic speakers to facilitate dialogue with them, who "do not They have the obligation to evacuate."

"Troops will continue humanitarian efforts in the area, during and after the conclusion of the operation, providing food, water and medical supplies to patients and civilians on the hospital grounds," a military spokesman said.

Israel defended its operation in Al Shifa as "in accordance with international law" and "against the Hamas terrorist organization that

operates from hospitals and civilian infrastructure

in a cynical and systematic manner, without distinguishing between the civilian population."

"During the activity, the terrorists opened fire on the troops from inside the hospital. They responded with live fire and hits were identified," the Israeli Army stated.

As evidence supporting the operation, the Army released a conversation between a COGAT liaison - the military organization that manages civil and administrative affairs in the occupied territories - with the director of Al Shifa, in which he supposedly informed him about the "activities." Hamas terrorists in the hospital and the need to put an end to them.

It is the fourth time that Israel attacks this hospital, the most important in the Strip.

The first time was in November, when he kept it surrounded for more than ten days;

he ordered the evacuation of thousands of displaced wounded and sick;

He detained numerous medical personnel, including his director, and said he had seized numerous Hamas weapons and material.