Israeli forces continued their campaign to destroy Hamas in Gaza on Thursday, engaging in gun battles and gaining control of a strategic port. This came just a day after a raid on the main hospital in the territory. The ground offensive has targeted important locations such as government buildings and infrastructure, as well as the Al-Shifa hospital, which Israel claims houses a Hamas command center, an allegation that Hamas denies. The bombardment and gunfire were captured on live video, showing the intensity of the conflict. Israel’s ambassador to the UN dismissed a Security Council resolution calling for extended pauses in the fighting as “meaningless.”
The Israeli army announced that it had taken operational control of the port in Gaza City, with tanks and soldiers positioned along the coast. Israel has focused its heavy bombardment and ground offensive on Gaza City, seizing key buildings such as the parliament, government offices, and Hamas police headquarters. The Israeli government has pledged to eradicate Hamas in response to the attacks on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and the hostage-taking of around 240 individuals, according to Israeli officials. Meanwhile, 51 Israeli troops have been killed in Gaza since the start of the conflict.
The death toll from the Israeli offensive, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, has surpassed 11,500, including thousands of children. Calls for a ceasefire are mounting as the civilian suffering increases. During a visit to Israel, EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell called for the immediate release of the hostages and urged Israel not to be consumed by rage in its battle with Hamas.
Late on Wednesday, the Israeli military launched an additional operation at Al-Shifa, uncovering rifles, ammunition, and explosives in the compound. Israel and its top ally, the United States, claim that Hamas has constructed tunnels beneath the Al-Shifa complex, making it a significant target in the conflict. However, both Hamas and hospital officials deny these allegations, as well as reports of weapons being present at the site.
Before the initial raid on the hospital complex, UN agencies estimated that there were approximately 2,300 patients, staff, and displaced civilians seeking shelter at Al-Shifa. The UN Security Council passed a resolution calling for urgent and extended humanitarian pauses in the fighting, despite divisions among its members. Israel has agreed to temporary localized pauses but rejected calls for a broader ceasefire, labeling the resolution as disconnected from reality and meaningless. The Israeli foreign ministry called on the Security Council and the international community to prioritize the prompt release of all kidnapped individuals.
The Israeli army claimed that the initial raid at Al-Shifa revealed military equipment, weapons, and an operational headquarters with communication equipment. Video footage showed rifles, ammunition, and ammo magazines hidden behind an MRI machine inside the hospital. However, the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza disputes these findings, stating that no weapons were found during the Israeli military’s raid. The suffering of Gaza’s civilians has raised concerns, leading many to flee to escape the heavy fighting. Al-Quds Hospital in Gaza City was evacuated, forcing patients to travel south to other medical facilities.
UN human rights chief Volker Turk highlighted serious allegations of international law violations in the Israel-Hamas war and suggested that an international investigation may be necessary when national authorities are unwilling or unable to carry out such inquiries. Despite this, opinion polls in Israel show widespread public support for military action against Hamas following the October 7 attacks, which were the deadliest in the country’s history. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed confidence in the Israeli army’s progress, stating that there is no safe place for Hamas and nowhere in Gaza that the army cannot reach.
However, Netanyahu is facing pressure domestically to address political and security failures related to the attack. Protesters have taken to the streets, demanding greater efforts to secure the release of the hostages. Qatar, which hosts a Hamas political office and maintains communication channels with Israel, has been leading negotiations for their release. US President Joe Biden expressed mild optimism about the possibility of a deal, citing cooperation from the Qataris.
