The Israeli army has urged all civilians in the Shifaa Medical Complex and its surroundings to evacuate immediately, considering it a “dangerous combat zone,” according to an army spokesperson and leaflets dropped from a drone over the Al-Rimal and Al-Nasr areas.
Earlier, the Israeli army announced in a statement early Monday that it was conducting an operation targeting the Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.
The army stated that soldiers are “currently carrying out a precise operation in the area of Shifa Hospital,” adding that “the operation is based on information indicating the hospital’s use by senior Hamas terrorists,” according to its expression.
A correspondent for “Al Arabiya” reported that Israeli helicopters are targeting anyone attempting to move in the Al-Rimal neighbourhood in Gaza, noting that Israeli airstrikes targeted homes in the neighbourhood, and it is impossible to reach the dead and wounded.
He added that the Israeli army instructed displaced persons not to move within the corridors of the Shifa complex.
In turn, a doctor at the complex told Al Arabiya that doctors and displaced persons are trapped inside the corridors amid intense and continuous gunfire, with casualties and fatalities outside the building that are easily accessible.
He continued, saying, “There are 10,000 displaced persons inside the complex, including 3,000 patients, in addition to 20 doctors and 40 nurses.”
Palestinian media reported on Monday casualties and injuries in the Israeli forces’ targeting of the Shifa Medical Complex in Gaza. Eyewitnesses told the Arab World News Agency (AWP) that Israeli armoured vehicles stormed the western area of Gaza City near the Shifa Hospital. They added that the Israeli army stormed the hospital from the southwest gate.
Eyewitnesses told Agence France-Presse about “aerial operations” in the Al-Rimal neighbourhood where the hospital, the largest in the Gaza Strip, is located.
Residents in this neighbourhood stated that “more than 45 Israeli tanks and armored personnel carriers” entered Al-Rimal. Some also spoke of “battles” taking place in the vicinity of the hospital.
The Israeli army addresses the residents through loudspeakers, asking them to stay in their homes, and eyewitnesses told Agence France-Presse that “drones are targeting people on the streets near the hospital.”