Israel carried out air strikes near largest Gaza hospital

Israeli planes on Sunday morning have conducted air strikes near the largest hospital in Gaza, which is packed with patients and tens of thousands of Palestinians seeking refuge, residents said. Israel said the Hamas militants leading Gaza have a command centre under the hospital, not giving any further evidence of that claim.

The attacks come after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyah announced the second “phasis of Israel's war against Hamas three weeks after Hamas carried out attacks on Israel on 7 October. Tanks and infantry over the weekend entered Gaza, in what officials described as expanding ground offensive, while Israel attacked terror from air, land and sea.

Bombings reported to Gaza residents are the most intense during this war hit communication lines Friday evening, cutting off communication with the world outside of this enclave of 2.3 million people. Communication has been restored according to local telecommunications companies and those offering internet services.

Residents said the recent air strikes have destroyed almost all roads leading to the Schiffa Hospital in Gaza City, located in the northern part of the besieged territory. Israel said most residents have respected its command to move south, but hundreds of thousands continue to be in the north, in part because Israel has also targeted so-called safe zones.

Tens of thousands of people are being accommodated at Schiffa Hospital, which is filled with patients injured during the air strike.

“The trip to the hospital has become extremely difficult”, said Mahmud al-Sawah, who was taking refuge in the hospital. “It seems they have cut ties in this area”, he added, the AP reports.

Meanwhile, Abdallah Sayed, a resident of Gaza City, said Israeli bombings during the last two days “were the most violent and intensive” since the war started.

The Israeli army has not yet commented on the attacks near Schiffa Hospital.

The military has published computer-generated images showing what the army claims to be Hamas' instincts in and around Schiffa Hospital. Also, the military said these claims are supported by information received by Hamas' fighters who were detained by authorities. Israel has made similar claims in the past, but has offered no evidence to support them.

However, few are known for Hamas' tunnels and other infrastructure, and these claims have not been independently confirmed. Hamas' government has dismissed the claims, labeling them as “lied” and saying Israel's claims were only “warning to crack down on building”.

On Saturday, the Israeli Army published pictures of tanks moving to Gaza ♫ and it seems that the photos were taken near the border and said warplanes have bombed dozens of Hamas' underground tunnels and bunkers.

The pressure on the Israeli government has been increased by family members of some 230 hostages taken from Hamas on October 7th, who are seeking to be released. Hostages of hostages have met with Netanyah and have voiced support for exchanging hostages with Palestinian prisoners held in Israel.

Hamas' top leader in Gaza, Yeia Sinwar, said Palestinian militants “are willing immediately to release all hostages if Israel releases thousands of Palestinians it holds in prisons. But Israeli Army spokesman Daniel Hagari rejected this offer, calling it “psychological terror”.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu, during a media conference the day before, said his state is determined to return all hostages, adding that expanding the ground operation “will help us with this” mission.

“This is the second phase of the war and the targets are clear: to destroy Hamas' military and governing capabilities and bring home hostages”, he said.

Netanyahu acknowledged that the October 7th attack was “a debax1>, in which more than 1,400 people were killed, adding that the investigation must be conducted.

Despite Israel's offensive, Palestinian militants have continued to shoot missiles in Israel, while sirens for air strikes are constantly activated in southern Israel.

The number of victims in Gaza increased on Saturday, reaching over 7,700. The Ministry of Health in Gaza said most victims are women and minors. In addition, according to the ministry, it is estimated that 1,700 people continue to be trapped under the ruins of destroyed buildings.

Israel has said its air strikes target Hamas' fighters and their infrastructure, adding that militants operate among civilians, putting them at risk.

Over 1.4 million people throughout Gaza have fled their homes, and half have been sheltered in UN schools and shelters following Israeli military warnings that they will be in danger if they remain in northern Gaza. No one has been allowed to leave surrounding territory and Israel has allowed only a few food and health aid to enter Egypt. / REL/