The Israeli military arrested 100 suspected Hamas terrorists during “targeted raids” at one of Gaza’s major hospitals last week, where they also found weapons, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
Israeli troops raided the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, in the southern Gaza Strip, on Feb. 17. The IDF said that some suspects posed as medical staff at the hospital, which they believe was used as a hideout by Hamas.
“The activity is based on IDF intelligence indicating that Hamas terrorist activity is being carried out from within the hospital,” the IDF said in a press release.
During the raid, IDF troops reportedly found medicines labeled with the names of Israeli hostages and “large quantities” of weapons, including grenades, explosives, and AK-47 rifles inside the building.
“Our forces located medicines specifically designated for the Israeli hostages in Gaza, large quantities of weapons, and a vehicle belonging to Kibbutz Nir Oz, all found in the Nasser Hospital,” the IDF stated on X (formerly Twitter).
Israeli forces also deployed aircraft to eliminate alleged terrorists spotted around the hospital.
Despite the raids against Hamas, the IDF said that it continued to supply food and water to the hospital with assistance from the Coordination and Liaison Administration for Gaza.
“While Hamas continues to use civilians as human shields in the hospital, the IDF has provided ongoing medical supplies and resources,” the IDF stated.
Hamas has denied allegations that its fighters use medical facilities for cover. At least two of the released Israeli hostages have said they were held in Nasser and Israel has released pictures and videos supporting its claim that Hamas operates within medical compounds.
Israel Sets Deadline for Hamas to Release Hostages
War Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz has warned that Israel will invade Rafah City during the Muslim fasting month of Ramadan if Hamas refuses to release the remaining hostages.
“The world must know, and Hamas leaders must know, if by Ramadan our hostages are not home, the fighting will continue everywhere, including the Rafah area,” he told a conference in Jerusalem on Sunday.
“I say this very clearly: Hamas has a choice. They can surrender, release the hostages, and this way, the citizens of Gaza can celebrate the holy holiday of Ramadan,” Mr. Gantz added.
Israel began its offensive response in Gaza after Hamas launched a large-scale attack on Oct. 7, 2023, which killed 1,200 civilians. Hamas also took over 240 hostages to use as bargaining chips in negotiations.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that most Hamas battalions in Rafah have been destroyed.
“We are closing in on Hamas in the terrorist capital of Khan Yunis. We recently reached places that the enemy never imagined we would reach,” he said at a press conference on Feb. 18.
Mr. Netanyahu said that his country “will not surrender to any pressure” and will not cease its offensive operation against Hamas until all hostages are freed.
“I speak with world leaders every day. I tell them decisively: ‘Israel will fight until we achieve total victory.’ This includes action in Rafah, of course after we allow the civilians in the combat zones to evacuate to safe areas,” the Israeli leader stated.
“Whoever wants to prevent us from operating in Rafah is telling us in effect to lose the war. I will not allow this.
“The diplomatic campaign I am leading, with my colleagues, allowed us unprecedented freedom of military action for 5 months, which has not happened in Israel’s wars,” he added.
Israel’s air and ground offensive has devastated much of Gaza and forced nearly all of its inhabitants from their homes. The Hamas-run health ministry said the death toll has surpassed 28,800.
Reuters contributed to this report.
From The Epoch Times
