IDF troops have entered Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, acting on intelligence that senior Hamas terrorists are using the facility to carry out attacks against Israeli forces, IDF announced early Monday.
IDF Spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said that prior to the operation, IDF troops were instructed on the importance of operating cautiously, as well as on the measures to be taken to avoid harm to the patients, civilians, medical staff and medical equipment.
"In addition, Arabic speakers have been brought to the area to facilitate dialogue with the patients remaining in the hospital. The IDF emphasized that there is no obligation for the patients and medical staff to evacuate," he said
Furthermore, the army said that IDF troops will continue to provide humanitarian relief in the area, both throughout and following the conclusion of the operation, providing food, water and medical supplies to the patients and civilians in the hospital compound.
"The IDF will continue to act following international law and against the Hamas terrorist organization - which operates from hospitals and civilian infrastructure systematically and cynically, without the distinction between the civilian population and the organization's terrorists."
The IDF withdrew from the hospital in November after raiding it in the first weeks of the war to dismantle Hamas' control capabilities in the facility.
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