Israeli forces withdraw from largest Gaza hospital

Israeli forces withdrew from Gaza’s largest hospital Monday following a two-week raid and massive anti-government protests calling for Israeli leaders to reach a cease-fire deal with Palestinian militant group Hamas.

The Israeli military said about 200 militants were killed in the raid of Shifa Hospital and about 900 other suspected militants were detained, describing it as one of the most successful campaigns in the more than five-month war, The Associated Press reported Monday. Forces also seized more than $3 million in different currencies and weapons, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said.

Israel launched what was called a “high precision operation in limited areas” of Shifa Hospital two weeks ago, claiming Hamas militants regrouped there and were using the facility to “command attacks against Israel” after an initial raid in November.

Twenty-one patients died in the two-week siege on the hospital, while about 107 patients remain in the building without adequate health support, World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a statement Sunday. The remaining patients were moved on numerous occasions during the raid and many now have infected wounds and contagious diseases, he added.

“Since yesterday only one bottle of water remains for every 15 people. Contagious diseases are spreading due to extremely unsanitary conditions, and a lack of water,” Ghebreyesus wrote on X, formerly Twitter. “Food is extremely limited — this is potentially life-threatening for diabetic patients whose condition is worsening.”

He called for Israel to “facilitate access and a humanitarian corridor” to allow aid groups to transfer patients and reiterated his push for a cease-fire in fighting.

Hagari, however, pushed back on claims civilians were harmed by Israeli troops during the raid and maintained the army evacuated more than 200 of the estimated 300 to 350 patients and brought food, water and medical supplies to the others.

The war between Israel and Hamas has raged on for nearly six months since the militant group’s surprise assault on Israel left more than 1,100 people dead. About 240 people were taken hostage, about 100 of whom are believed to still be alive in Gaza.

Israel has embarked on a military campaign to destroy Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization that has ruled the Gaza Strip since 2007. The Israeli bombardment of Gaza has killed more than 32,700 people since early October, the AP noted. 

Over the weekend, tens of thousands of Israelis protested in central Jerusalem, calling for the government to secure a cease-fire deal to free the hostages in Gaza and hold early elections, the news service reported Sunday.

Protesters took aim at Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin, accusing him of working only in his private interests and damaging relations with the United States, a key ally for Israel.

In a press conference Sunday night, the prime minister reiterated his vow to “destroy” Hamas and move forward with a threatened ground invasion in Rafah, a city in Gaza that shares a border with Egypt. Millions of people seeking refuge are being housed in the region after being evacuated from other parts of the enclave since the start of the war in early October.