Israeli forces left Gaza’s largest hospital on Monday after a two-week attack and large anti-government protests urging Israeli leaders to make a cease-fire deal with Palestinian militant group Hamas.
The Israeli military said around 200 militants died in the attack on Shifa Hospital and about 900 other suspected militants were captured, calling it one of the most successful operations in the over five-month war, The Associated Press stated Monday. Forces also confiscated over $3 million in various currencies and weapons, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said.
Israel initiated what they referred to as a “high precision operation in limited areas” of Shifa Hospital two weeks ago, alleging that Hamas militants had gathered there and were using the facility to coordinate attacks against Israel following an initial attack in November.
Twenty-one patients died during the two-week siege on the hospital, while about 107 patients are still in the building without proper health care, World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a statement Sunday. The remaining patients were relocated multiple times during the attack and many now have infected wounds and contagious diseases, he added.
“Since yesterday only one bottle of water remains for every 15 people. Contagious diseases are spreading due to extremely unsanitary conditions, and a lack of water,” Ghebreyesus wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “Food is extremely limited — this is potentially life-threatening for diabetic patients whose condition is worsening.”
He called for Israel to “facilitate access and a humanitarian corridor” to allow aid groups to move patients and reiterated his push for a cease-fire in fighting.
Hagari, however, disagreed with claims that civilians were injured by Israeli troops during the attack and stated the army evacuated over 200 of the estimated 300 to 350 patients and provided food, water, and medical supplies to the others.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas has continued for almost six months since the sudden attack on Israel by the militant group resulted in over 1,100 deaths. Around 240 individuals were taken captive, with about 100 believed to still be in Gaza.
Israel has initiated a military effort to dismantle Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization that has controlled the Gaza Strip since 2007. The Israeli attack on Gaza has resulted in the deaths of over 32,700 people since early October, the AP mentioned.
Over the weekend, tens of thousands of Israelis demonstrated in central Jerusalem, urging the government to secure a cease-fire agreement to release the hostages in Gaza and hold early elections, the news service reported Sunday.
Protesters targeted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin, accusing him of only working for his personal interests and harming relations with the United States, a key ally for Israel.
In a press conference Sunday night, the prime minister restated his commitment to “eliminate” Hamas and proceed with a threatened ground invasion in Rafah, a city in Gaza bordering Egypt. Millions of people seeking shelter are being accommodated in the area after being evacuated from other parts of the region since the beginning of the war in early October.
