Israeli troops launch operation at Gaza's Al-Shifa Hospital amid humanitarian concerns; Hamas holds Joe Biden ‘wholly responsible for the attack’

Israeli troops have launched “a precise and targeted operation against Hamas" in Gaza’s Al-Shifa hospital. Gaza’s largest medical facility, the Al-Shifa hospital has been a point of contention as Israel has alleged Israel has alleged that the hospital conceals underground tunnels used as a command center by Hamas. The United Nations approximates that a minimum of 2,300 individuals, including patients, staff, and displaced civilians, are currently confined within the facility, owing to the violence and aerial strikes outside.

The IDF informed in a recent statement that they have called upon Hamas operatives present in the hospital to surrender. Moreover, it has been stated that the authorities in Gaza were informed about the cessation of all military activities within the hospital premises within 12 hours. As per the Israeli Defense Forces, their directive has not been adhered to. The Israeli troops barged into the Al-Shifa hospital after keeping it surrounded for almost a day. However, the IDF has claimed that they are not ‘overrunning the hospital’ and they intend that ‘no harm is caused to the civilians being used by Hamas as human shields’

In the meantime, Hamas has accused US President Joe Biden for being ‘wholly responsible’ for the attack on Al-Shifa. "We hold the occupation (Israel) and President Biden wholly responsible for the assault on the Al-Shifa medical complex," said Hamas in a statement. The White House in turn has stated in a statement that they ‘do not support striking a hospital from the air.’ “We don't want to see a firefight in a hospital where innocent people, helpless people, sick people trying to get medical care they deserve are caught in the crossfire. Hospitals and patients must be protected," said the US in its statement.

Previously, the authorities at the Al-Shifa hospital were compelled to bury over 150 bodies that included babies and patients of the Intensive Care Unit who died as the hospital ran out of fuel to run lifesaving machinery, in a mass burial, as the corridors of the hospital were reeking of the stench of decomposing bodies. "There are bodies littered in the hospital complex and there is no longer electricity at the morgues,” said the Al-Shifa Director, Abu Mohammad Salmiya. International aid organizations and hospital authorities have described the prevalent conditions in the medical facility as ‘catastrophic’, which are further exacerbated by the ongoing ‘war’.