Israeli forces raid Al Shifa Hospital

Israeli forces have raided Gaza’s al-Shifa Hospital complex in what it says is a “targeted operation” against Hamas, urging them to surrender with thousands of Palestinian civilians still sheltering inside Gaza Strip’s biggest hospital.

Dr. Munir al-Bursh, director-general of the Gaza health ministry, said that Israeli forces had raided the western side of the medical complex.

The raid comes just hours after White House spokesman John Kirby told reporters – without providing evidence – that Washington has “information” that Hamas is using Gaza hospitals, including al-Shifa.

The Palestinian group rejected the US claims, which echo similar statements made by Israel for weeks, and accused the Biden administration of giving a “green light to the Israeli occupation to commit further brutal massacres targeting hospitals”.

Hamas also reiterated its call “for the United Nations to establish an international committee to inspect all hospitals in Gaza” to refute Israel’s claims.

Health workers inside the hospital and other experts familiar with al-Shifa say Palestinian fighters have not used the grounds, accusing Israel of trying to justify unlawful attacks on health facilities in the Gaza Strip.

Inputs taken from agencies