Amidst the ongoing clashes in Gaza, the global health watchdog, the World Health Organization (WHO), has been notably quiet about the use of Al-Shifa Hospital as a base by Palestinian terror groups. Despite repeated attempts by Fox News Digital to get a statement, the WHO has stayed mum. Meanwhile, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have been locked in a week-long battle with Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad fighters who've taken refuge in the hospital's maternity ward and other areas.
Itamar Yaar, a former deputy head of Israel’s National Security Council, shed light on Hamas’ strategy, revealing that the group deliberately uses hospitals as military hubs, counting on Israel's reluctance to engage in such sites. Yaar also pointed out that this tactic has been known for a while, with Hamas utilizing virtually every hospital in Gaza for its operations.
Early in the conflict, Israel faced international backlash for entering Al-Shifa Hospital in pursuit of terrorists and bunkers. However, discoveries of underground networks, including a command center, raised concerns about the hospital's complicity in supporting terrorist activities.
Despite the risks, Yaar noted that the hospital's management likely cooperated with Hamas out of fear for their safety, given the group's control over Gaza. This complicity might have been known to organizations like the WHO, raising questions about their silence on the matter.
While the WHO's director-general denied collusion with Hamas, Israeli officials reported significant gains in their operation at Al-Shifa Hospital. Over 170 terrorists were neutralized, with substantial caches of weapons and money discovered. Notably, efforts were made to minimize harm to civilians and medical staff during the operation.
Tal Mimran, an expert in international humanitarian law, acknowledged the complexity of the situation. While hospitals are protected spaces, their military exploitation can alter the rules. Mimran highlighted the IDF's efforts to respect humanitarian norms, including setting up a field hospital nearby.
In the evolving conflict, battles within Gaza's hospitals have become a significant aspect, signaling a departure from previous engagements. Despite the challenges, Israel aims to adhere to international law while combating terrorist threats.
This operation at Al-Shifa Hospital underscores the blurred lines between civilian spaces and military targets in the ongoing conflict, posing complex moral and legal dilemmas for all parties involved.
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