The Israeli military directed residents and those displaced within the Al-Rimal neighborhood and near Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City to urgently evacuate southwards. The directive, issued by army spokesperson Avichay Adraee on X, aimed to move civilians to safer zones amid ongoing military operations.
This announcement came after the Israeli forces initiated an assault on Al-Shifa Hospital early Monday. The hospital, known for providing care to thousands of patients and sheltering displaced individuals, became a focal point for what the military described as efforts to “thwart terrorist activities and arrest saboteurs.”
Adraee reported that during the operation, Israeli forces encountered armed resistance from within the hospital premises, leading to an exchange of fire that resulted in injuries among the alleged saboteurs.
The military offensive in Gaza, which started on Oct. 7, 2023, following a cross-border attack by Hamas, has escalated into a significant conflict. The ongoing violence has resulted in the deaths of over 31,600 Palestinians, predominantly women and children, and injuries to nearly 73,700 others. The crisis has also led to widespread destruction, displacement, and shortages of essential supplies in the Gaza Strip.–Web Desk