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NEW DELHI: Israeli forces have conducted arrests in Gaza‘s largest operational hospital, according to health officials and the military.
Airstrikes have also hit various areas in the enclave, as Palestinians seek shelter in Rafah face the additional challenge of heavy rain.
The Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis was raided by Israeli forces on Thursday as part of their ongoing conflict with Hamas, the Palestinian Islamist group in control of the enclave.
“Occupation forces detained a large number of medical staff members inside Nasser Medical Complex, which they (Israel) turned into a military base,” said Gaza Health Ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qidra.
The Israeli military claimed that they were searching for militants and have so far apprehended 100 suspects on the premises.
They also reported the killing of gunmen near the hospital and the discovery of weapons inside it.
Hamas, however, has denied allegations that its fighters use medical facilities as cover. Notably, two released Israeli hostages have claimed to have been held in Nasser.
The incursion into the hospital has raised concerns for the safety of patients, medical workers, and displaced Palestinians seeking refuge there.
Earlier this week, approximately 10,000 individuals sought shelter at the hospital, but many have either left in anticipation of the Israeli raid or due to orders from the Israeli authorities to evacuate, as reported by the Gaza Health Ministry.
In Rafah, where over half of Gaza’s 2.3 million population are currently seeking shelter, the cold winter weather has exacerbated the already dire conditions. Strong winds have blown away some tents, while heavy rain has flooded others.
International concern has been raised over Israeli plans to storm Rafah, as such an action would significantly worsen the already dire humanitarian crisis in the Strip.
The Israeli offensive, conducted through air and ground operations, has caused widespread devastation in Gaza and forced the majority of its inhabitants out of their homes.
Hamas-run Palestinian health authority has claimed that 28,858 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in the war.
The conflict began when Hamas terrorists on October 7 carried out a bloody raid in Israel, killing 1,200 people, and taking 253 people hostages.
Health officials have confirmed that at least 83 people were killed in airstrikes across the Gaza Strip since Friday, including one person in Rafah on Saturday. The Israeli military has claimed to have killed numerous militants in Gaza during the fighting.
Meanwhile, in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon, air raid sirens have sounded, warning of incoming rockets from Gaza.
(With Reuters inputs)
Airstrikes have also hit various areas in the enclave, as Palestinians seek shelter in Rafah face the additional challenge of heavy rain.
The Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis was raided by Israeli forces on Thursday as part of their ongoing conflict with Hamas, the Palestinian Islamist group in control of the enclave.
“Occupation forces detained a large number of medical staff members inside Nasser Medical Complex, which they (Israel) turned into a military base,” said Gaza Health Ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qidra.
The Israeli military claimed that they were searching for militants and have so far apprehended 100 suspects on the premises.
They also reported the killing of gunmen near the hospital and the discovery of weapons inside it.
Hamas, however, has denied allegations that its fighters use medical facilities as cover. Notably, two released Israeli hostages have claimed to have been held in Nasser.
The incursion into the hospital has raised concerns for the safety of patients, medical workers, and displaced Palestinians seeking refuge there.
Earlier this week, approximately 10,000 individuals sought shelter at the hospital, but many have either left in anticipation of the Israeli raid or due to orders from the Israeli authorities to evacuate, as reported by the Gaza Health Ministry.
In Rafah, where over half of Gaza’s 2.3 million population are currently seeking shelter, the cold winter weather has exacerbated the already dire conditions. Strong winds have blown away some tents, while heavy rain has flooded others.
International concern has been raised over Israeli plans to storm Rafah, as such an action would significantly worsen the already dire humanitarian crisis in the Strip.
The Israeli offensive, conducted through air and ground operations, has caused widespread devastation in Gaza and forced the majority of its inhabitants out of their homes.
Hamas-run Palestinian health authority has claimed that 28,858 people, mostly civilians, have been killed in the war.
The conflict began when Hamas terrorists on October 7 carried out a bloody raid in Israel, killing 1,200 people, and taking 253 people hostages.
Health officials have confirmed that at least 83 people were killed in airstrikes across the Gaza Strip since Friday, including one person in Rafah on Saturday. The Israeli military has claimed to have killed numerous militants in Gaza during the fighting.
Meanwhile, in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon, air raid sirens have sounded, warning of incoming rockets from Gaza.
(With Reuters inputs)
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