The entry of IDF forces into Shifa Hospital overnight Tuesday marks a dramatic milestone in the war against Hamas.
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Over the past several weeks, the IDF has been preparing public opinion, especially internationally, for a possible move into what is considered a terrorist stronghold and a safe haven for terrorists due to the many risks associated with such an incursion.
Overnight, the IDF entered the hospital in a targeted manner using actionable intelligence that had been in the works for weeks. The raid includes ongoing engagement with hospital administrators to convince them to evacuate along with the medical staff and patients.
The raid was carried out after the army informed the hospital administrators in advance. As of Wednesday noon, there is no indication that there was active combat in the hospital, but the forces eliminated five terrorists on their way to it. The forces entered the compound along with Arabic speakers and medical staff, delivering humanitarian aid and placing it at the entrance to the hospital. In the early hours, they identified weapons used by the terrorists.
The IDF believes that underneath Shifa Hospital there were, at some point, kidnapped Israelis but it has been lowering expectations, making no promises that such action in the largest hospital in Gaza will lead to the release of captives. Nevertheless, the hope and assessment are that the operation in the area will lead to the discovery of certain clues and intelligence related to the captives.
Video: IDF announces operation in Shifa hospital / Credit: X/@idf
The IDF had prepared international legitimacy for the operation in Shifa for weeks, repeatedly exposing the terrorist infrastructure beneath the hospital. The Israeli entry into Shifa was preceded by the phenomenal presentation of the IDF spokesperson and the former commander of Shayetet 13, Brig. Gen. Daniel Hagari, from Rantisi Hospital in the northern Strip, presenting substantial evidence of the presence of terrorists and probably kidnapped Israelis beneath the hospital.
Israeli advocacy efforts on the world stage were clearly evidenced on Tuesday night in a White House statement, which practically endorsed the Israeli claim that the hospital has terrorist infrastructure. On Wednesday, after the entry of the forces, the Americans announced that they were not interested in seeing Israeli air attacks on the hospital or fighting inside it.
Shifa Hospital is considered the nerve center of the tunnel and command network in the northern Strip, a place where it is doubtful whether Hamas leadership thought Israel would ever dare to enter.
Taking out this center would be a major blow to a Palestinian symbol, but on the other hand, although carries risks for the forces and for the entire Israeli operation since it poses a very high potential for complications and could lead to major pressure from the West In addition, entry into Shifa may also affect the emerging hostage deal (which has been reported on the foreign media), as well as Hezbollah's conduct along the Lebanon border.
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