Israel battles Hamas near another Gaza hospital sheltering thousands

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The text you provided reports on the ongoing conflict between Israeli forces and Hamas in northern Gaza. Israeli forces are engaged in an offensive operation near a hospital, the Indonesian Hospital, where thousands of patients and displaced people have sought shelter. Tragically, a shell struck the hospital’s second floor, resulting in the loss of 12 lives. Both the medical worker and the Health Ministry in Gaza attributed the incident to Israel, while Israel maintained that its troops had returned fire on militants who had fired on them from within the hospital compound.

This development follows the recent evacuation of premature babies from Shifa Hospital in Gaza City by the World Health Organization. Over 250 critically ill or wounded patients remain stranded at Shifa Hospital, which Israeli forces had entered earlier.

The situation in Gaza’s hospitals has become a focal point in the conflict, with Israel accusing Hamas of using these facilities for military purposes, while critics argue that the siege and bombardment amount to collective punishment of the Palestinian population.

Efforts are being made to establish a field hospital in Khan Younis, which could alleviate some of the strain on Gaza’s healthcare system. Additionally, the text mentions allegations of a tunnel and hostages at Shifa Hospital, but these claims are disputed.

The conflict has led to a significant displacement of Gaza’s population, with nearly three-quarters of its inhabitants being displaced, and a substantial loss of life on both sides. Violence has also surged in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

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