The Gaza Ministry of Health has accused the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) of violating international humanitarian law following a military operation at the Palestinian Al-Shifa Hospital in the Gaza Strip.
"We bear the responsibility for the safety and well-being of medical staff, patients, and displaced individuals within the Al-Shifa Medical Complex. <...> This act is a glaring breach of international humanitarian law and the Fourth Geneva Convention. The military assault on the Al-Shifa compound by Israel is intended to further undermine the healthcare infrastructure in the northern Gaza Strip," Al Jazeera quoted the agency's statement.
In response to the operation, the IDF stated that it was conducted in response to intelligence indicating the use of the Al-Shifa facility by high-ranking Hamas members for terrorist activities. The IDF also assured that its soldiers would provide humanitarian support to the population in the area of the operation and to the hospital's patients, including the provision of food, water, and medical supplies.
The escalation of the situation in the Middle East began with the infiltration of Hamas fighters from the Gaza Strip into Israeli territory on October 7, 2023. Israel imposed a complete blockade on Gaza and launched strikes against the Strip, as well as parts of Lebanon and Syria. Israel's ground operation in the enclave and ongoing clashes in the West Bank have further exacerbated the situation.
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Based on materials from TASS