DUBAI, November 16. /TASS/. The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) continues its operation in the Al-Shifa hospital in the Gaza Strip in the early hours of Thursday, storming into all its departments, Al Jazeera reported.
According to the report, "occupational forces are raiding all departments of the Al-Shifa hospital, sowing panic among patients." Besides, Israeli servicemen detained some of the hospital’s personnel and "are shooting at anyone who is trying to leave."
"The Al-Shifa medical complex has turned into a true graveyard for everyone inside," the channel quoted a Gaza official as saying.
According to the Al Mayadeen television, at least 6,000 people are still staying at the facility, including patients, personnel and refugees who sought shelter there.
The Israeli military started an operation in the area of the Al-Shifa hospital in the Gaza Strip overnight into Wednesday, saying the compound houses the main command headquarters of Hamas. The Israel Defense Forces also said there are several underground facilities and a tunnel beneath the medical center, where some 200 radicals are taking shelter and holding hostages that were taken in the October 7 attack.
Tensions flared up in the Middle East after Hamas militants from the Gaza Strip attacked Israeli territory on October 7, when many Israelis living in the settlements near the border were killed and more than 200 people, including children, women and the elderly, were taken hostage. Hamas views its attack as a response to Israeli authorities’ steps against the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. Israel declared a total blockade of the Gaza Strip and launched bombardments of the enclave and some areas in Lebanon and Syria. Clashes are also reported in the West Bank.