Israel raids Gaza's largest hospital, arrests 100 'suspects'

Reuters today, February 18, quoted information from Gaza health agency spokesman Ashraf al-Qidra saying that Israel detained a large number of medical staff inside Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis City and turned it into a military base. Previously, on February 15, Israel raided this medical facility.

The arrests came as Israel carried out airstrikes across the region, especially in Rafah. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on February 17 that the military campaign would continue.

The Israeli military says it is hunting Hamas militants in Nasser and has so far arrested 100 suspects there. It also claims to have killed gunmen near a hospital and found weapons inside the medical facility.

Israel attacks Gaza's largest hospital

At least two released Israeli hostages said they were held in Nasser, and Israel has released photos and videos it says show Hamas operating in medical facilities. Hamas has denied allegations that the group is hiding in hospitals.

However, Israel's raid on the hospital has raised alarm about the health situation of patients, medical staff and Palestinian civilians taking refuge there.

Israel đột kích bệnh viện lớn nhất Gaza, bắt giữ 100 'nghi phạm' - Ảnh 1. — Israeli soldiers operating in the Gaza Strip

According to the Palestinian-run Gaza Health Authority, around 10,000 people were sheltering in Nasser earlier this week, but many had left before the Israeli raid.

Further south, in Rafah, where more than half of Gaza's 2.3 million people have taken refuge, the winter cold added to the harsh conditions as winds blew away some refugee tents and rain flooded others.

Israel's plan to attack Rafah has raised international concerns that such action would worsen the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

AFP on February 17 quoted Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al-Thani as saying that the prospect of a new truce between Israel and Hamas was "not really promising", after Israel rejected Gaza's call to postpone the Rafah attack.

His assessment came as Hamas threatened to suspend participation in ceasefire talks unless aid was delivered to the northern Gaza Strip, where aid agencies have warned of impending famine.

Israel leaves negotiating table with Hamas, prepares to attack Rafah

"Negotiations cannot be held while famine is ravaging the Palestinian people," a senior Hamas source told AFP.

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh also blamed Israel for the lack of progress in reaching a ceasefire in Gaza. The official added that Hamas would not accept anything less than a complete cessation of hostilities, an Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the “lifting of the unjust siege,” as well as the release of Palestinian prisoners.

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