IDF admits it is operating in Khan Yunis hospital after initial denial

• Published date: 24 March 2024
• Author: YONAH JEREMY BOB
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

By Sunday night, an IDF spokesperson acknowledged that operations were underway to take over the hospitals and arrest or kill large numbers of terrorists, much like the military has carried out against Shifa Hospital in northern Gaza throughout the last week

A statement the IDF put out at 6:44 p.m. said that specific intelligence obtained by the IDF and the Shin Bet had led to the operation against the Al-Amal Hospital.

There was still no specific mention of the Nasser Hospital, but the IDF statement referenced multiple hospitals and warned Hamas not to use such facilities for hiding or prosecuting the war lest the IDF be required to come after them there.

Further, the IDF said that it balances its actions in favor of Israeli security with the need to follow the limits of the use of force under international law regarding protected civilian areas, such as hospitals.

Earlier Sunday Morning, the Palestinian Red Crescent said that Israeli forces were besieging two Gaza hospitals, pinning down medical teams under heavy gunfire.

The Palestinian Red Crescent said one of its staff was killed when Israeli tanks suddenly pushed back into areas around Al-Amal and Nasser hospitals in the southern city of Khan Younis amid heavy bombardment and gunfire.

It was unclear where this occurred or whether it was connected to more standard ongoing fighting between Israel and Hamas, or whether it was a precursor to the invasion of the Al-Amar Hospital.

Reuters reported on Sunday that Israeli armored forces sealed off Al-Amal Hospital and carried out extensive bulldozing operations in its vicinity, with the Red Crescent issuing a statement, adding: "All of our teams are in extreme danger at the moment and are completely immobilized."

It said Israeli forces were now demanding the complete evacuation of staff, patients, and displaced people from Al Amal's premises and were firing smoke bombs into the area to force out its occupants.

At the time, the Israeli military only admitted that its forces were hitting "infrastructure" in Khan Yunis, used as gathering points, and denied issuing evacuation orders to the hospitals.

Reuters has been unable to access Gaza's contested hospital areas and verify accounts by either side.

In Rafah, Gaza's southernmost town, which has become a place of refuge for half of the Strip's uprooted population, an Israeli air strike on a house killed seven people, Hamas health officials claimed. The IDF did not issue a specific statement regarding that...