The Israeli military arrested 100 suspected Hamas terrorists during “targeted raids” last week at one of Gaza’s major hospitals, where they also found weapons, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
Israeli troops raided the Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, in the southern Gaza Strip, on Feb. 17. The IDF stated 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 statement.
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.
Israeli forces also deployed aircraft to eliminate alleged terrorists spotted around the hospital.
“While Hamas continues to use civilians as human shields in the hospital, the IDF has provided ongoing medical supplies and resources,” the IDF stated.
Israel Sets Deadline for Hamas to Release Hostages
War Cabinet Minister Benny Gantz has warned that Israel will invade the city of Rafah 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 Feb. 18.
“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.”
Israel began its offensive response in Gaza after Hamas launched a large-scale attack on Oct. 7, 2023, that killed 1,200 civilians. Hamas also took more than 240 hostages to use as bargaining chips in negotiations.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said most Hamas battalions in Rafah have been destroyed.
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 said.
“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.”
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 stated that the death toll has surpassed 28,800.
