According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), during "targeted raids" at one of Gaza's main hospitals last week, the Israeli military detained 100 alleged Hamas militants and discovered weapons.
The Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, was assaulted by Israeli soldiers on February 17. The facility, which the IDF believes Hamas utilized as a hideaway, had some suspects act as medical personnel.
“The activity is based on IDF intelligence indicating that Hamas terrorist activity is being carried out from within the hospital,” the IDF said in a press release.
IDF soldiers allegedly discovered "large quantities" of weaponry, including grenades, explosives, and AK-47 rifles, inside the facility during the operation, along with medications labeled with the names of Israeli prisoners.
“Our forces located medicines specifically designated for the Israeli hostages in Gaza, large quantities of weapons, and a vehicle belonging to Kibbutz Nir Oz, all found in the Nasser Hospital,” the IDF stated on X (formerly Twitter).
Aerial vehicles from Israel were also sent in to destroy suspected terrorists who were observed near the hospital.
The IDF added that, with help from the Coordination and Liaison Administration for Gaza, it maintained to provide food and water to the hospital in spite of the attacks against Hamas.
“While Hamas continues to use civilians as human shields in the hospital, the IDF has provided ongoing medical supplies and resources,” the IDF stated.
Claims that Hamas fighters take cover in medical institutions have been refuted by the organization. At least two of the freed Israeli captives have stated that they were detained in Nasser, and Israel has made images and videos available to bolster its allegations that Hamas runs its operations from of medical facilities.
Benny Gantz, the minister of military cabinet, has said that if Hamas does not free the remaining prisoners, Israel would assault Rafah City in the month of Ramadan.
“The world must know, and Hamas leaders must know, if by Ramadan our hostages are not home, the fighting will continue everywhere, including the Rafah area,” he told a conference in Jerusalem on Sunday.
“I say this very clearly: Hamas has a choice. They can surrender, release the hostages, and this way, the citizens of Gaza can celebrate the holy holiday of Ramadan,” Mr. Gantz added.
Following a massive attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people, Israel launched an offensive reaction in Gaza. In addition, Hamas kidnapped more than 240 captives to use as negotiating chips.
Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, said that the majority of the Hamas brigades in Rafah had been eliminated.
“We are closing in on Hamas in the terrorist capital of Khan Yunis. We recently reached places that the enemy never imagined we would reach,” he said at a press conference on Feb. 18.
Mr. Netanyahu said that his country “will not surrender to any pressure” and will not cease its offensive operation against Hamas until all hostages are freed.
“I speak with world leaders every day. I tell them decisively: ‘Israel will fight until we achieve total victory.’ This includes action in Rafah, of course after we allow the civilians in the combat zones to evacuate to safe areas,” the Israeli leader stated.
“Whoever wants to prevent us from operating in Rafah is telling us in effect to lose the war. I will not allow this.
“The diplomatic campaign I am leading, with my colleagues, allowed us unprecedented freedom of military action for 5 months, which has not happened in Israel’s wars,” he added.
A large portion of Gaza has been destroyed by Israel's air and ground assault, forcing almost all of its residents to flee their homes. More than 28,800 people have died, according to the health ministry operated by Hamas.
