Israeli forces have announced the killing of a senior Hamas commander who was reportedly holding 1,000 Gazan hostages in a hospital, using them as human shields.
The operation took place following Hamas' initial attack against Israel on October 7.
According to a report by The Telegraph, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that Ahmed Siam, a prominent leader in Hamas' al-Furqan Brigade, had prevented civilians from leaving the Al-Rantisi Hospital in Gaza City earlier in the week. This incident occurred despite Israeli forces urging civilians to evacuate the area to avoid being caught in the crossfire.
Siam and several other Hamas terrorists were reportedly killed while attempting to hide in a school building in Gaza. The IDF, in collaboration with Israel's Shin Bet intelligence agency, carried out the mission.
The IDF emphasized that "Ahmed Siam's actions once again demonstrate that Hamas uses the civilians of the Gaza Strip as human shields for terror purposes." The operation unfolded amidst ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas near the largest hospital in Gaza.
Israeli forces have long claimed that Hamas' headquarters and control center are located beneath the hospital, within an extensive tunnel system stretching for miles. The fighting occurred as the hospital reported running out of fuel and electricity, hindering its ability to provide adequate care to patients.
Despite Israel's successful operation, Hamas claimed to have destroyed or partially destroyed over 160 Israeli military targets in the Gaza Strip. However, Israel asserted that Hamas has lost control of northern Gaza, as reported by Reuters.
Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, a military spokesperson, stated that members of the Israeli military are assisting in the evacuation of infants trapped in the hospital. "The staff of the Shifa hospital has requested that tomorrow we help the babies in the pediatric department to get to a safer hospital. We will provide the assistance needed," Hagari said.
Hamas has denied Israel's claims that it operates from the tunnel system beneath the hospital. Medical staff at the hospital have expressed concerns that patients could die if they are moved out of the facility, citing the potential danger posed by Israeli fire during the evacuation.
"It's a war zone, it's a totally scary atmosphere here in the hospital," said Ahmed al-Mokhallalati, a senior plastic surgeon at Al Shifa hospital. "There has been continuous bombardment for more than 24 hours now."
Although most of the hospital staff have left the area, approximately 500 patients remain in the facility, according to the report.
Colonel Moshe Tetro, head of coordination and liaison at COGAT, stated, "There are clashes between IDF troops and Hamas terrorist operatives around the hospital. There is no shooting at the hospital, and there is no siege."
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