IDF forces outside the Nasser Hospital
(Video: IDF Spokesperson's Unit)
Three months after beginning ground operations in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, the IDF is nearing completion, as declared on Sunday by Defense Minister Gallant. He revealed images of medications intended for captives, found at Nasser Hospital.
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The army, led by the Commando Brigade with fighters from the elite Egoz and Maglan, is operating in the hospital located in the refugee camp's center in west Khan Younis. The operation involves searching within the hospital while allowing it to function, alongside filtering out terrorists, many of whom are disguised in medical staff uniforms.
The IDF reported Sunday that during an operation in the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis forces located medicine with the names and pictures of Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
Over the weekend, soldiers from the Commando Brigade, Shayetet 13, Shin Bet and other special units within the 98th Division operated in the hospital and engaged in intense combat with terrorists. The forces also faced resistance from terrorists barricaded inside the hospital and came under rocket fire from within the compound grounds. After 12 hours of fierce fighting, soldiers have reportedly eliminated 16 terrorists on hospital grounds.
Two challenging elements for the forces surround the hospital. The first is the dense, low-rise construction of the refugee camp, most of whose residents have been evacuated, alongside shelters for displaced Gazans in the hospital's courtyard, similar to the situation at Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza City at the operation's start.
These shelters were often exploited by armed terrorists emerging from the hospital and opening fire on the soldiers. In one such incident a few days ago, a platoon commander was severely injured and regained consciousness for the first time on Sunday.
Another pattern identified by the forces is that terrorists would attempt to flee the hospital unarmed, running to nearby homes where they arm themselves with rifles and machine guns to attack Israeli forces. So far, no strategic tunnels like those found under Al Shifa have been discovered beneath Nasser. However, combat tunnels have been found in the vicinity of the hospital.
Inside the hospital, the soldiers also located large quantities of weapons, some of which were stashed in a vehicle used by Hamas during the October 7 massacre. In addition, a car stolen from Kibbutz Nir Oz was also found in the hospital complex.
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Car stolen from Kibbutz ir Oz on Oct 7 found at Nasser Hospital
(Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit)
Security forces have also detained hundreds of terrorists and terror suspects, including those involved in the October 7 massacre and others linked to the Israeli hostages. Among the detainees are terrorists who hid within hospitals, some masquerading as medical personnel. Notably, several high-ranking Hamas terrorists were also apprehended. The suspects have been transferred to undergo further investigation.
The IDF also said that after issuing a prior warning to halt terrorist activity within the hospital, security forces entered the premises. They conducted scans while ensuring the hospital's uninterrupted operation, prioritizing the safety of patients and medical staff.
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Medicine emblazoned with freed hostage Tami Metzger's name - never delivered to her
(Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit)
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Medicine emblazoned with hostage Chaim Peri's name - never delivered to him
(Photo: IDF Spokesperson's Unit)
"The enemy here is determined and more professional, reminiscent of the elite Nukhba forces we encountered on October 7. They engage in battle knowing they will be killed. They have no choice but to fight and die or surrender because we have smartly surrounded the hospital," the military stated.
Soldiers discovered medications sent at the war's onset, marked with the names and even photos of hostages. The IDF released images of medications intended for Eda Sagi (who was released), Yafa Adar (who was released), Tami Metzger (who was released), Chaim Peri and Yousef Al-Ziadna.
A small carton was also found with the name of Oded Lipshitz, who is still being held captive. The medication packages located in the pharmacy of the dialysis department at Nasser Hospital were sealed and not delivered to the hostages.
A Shayetet 13 platoon commander said, "The hospital, which was supposed to serve as a humanitarian shelter, was found to be a battleground filled with weapons, communication infrastructure and Hamas operatives. During the surgical and precise combat, many Hamas terrorists were arrested. The IDF will continue as needed to defeat the Hamas terror organization and ensure its destruction."