Israel is weighing a temporary pause in Gaza operations after taking control of Al-Shifa Hospital, a move reported by the British newspaper Financial Times, which cites unnamed sources familiar with the situation.
The publication indicates that if a halt were to occur, the Israeli-Hamas conflict would likely see increased activity from Hamas-backed forces, while Israel would quickly resume military operations when conditions allow.
The Israeli army’s entry into Al-Shifa Hospital on the night of November 15, 2023, was described as a targeted operation. The Israeli Defense Forces explained that one of Hamas’s main command posts is situated underground within the hospital complex.
The army press service asserted that during clashes at the hospital, measures would be taken to minimize civilian harm and casualties, emphasizing precautions to protect noncombatants.
According to Al Jazeera sources at Al Shifa Hospital, the Israeli army reportedly detained a number of individuals as part of the operations inside the facility.
The broader regional escalation traces back to October 7, when thousands of Hamas militants infiltrated Israel from the Gaza Strip and Hamas announced the launch of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. In response, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared that Israel was at war and prepared to conduct sustained action against the Gaza-based group.
Israel’s stated objective in its response to Operation Iron Sword has been to repel the attack, secure the release of more than 200 hostages including foreigners, and dismantle Hamas’s capabilities. To support this objective, Israeli forces launched a large-scale barrage of rockets into the Gaza Strip from the outset of the operation. Concurrently, the Israeli National Security Council authorized restrictions on essential supplies entering Gaza, including water, food, goods, electricity, and fuel. Humanitarian shipments began moving through the Rafah crossing only after October 20, but aid levels were reported as insufficient for the growing needs.
On October 27, Israel announced what it called an expansion of the ground operation in Gaza. Details about the exact start date remained unclear, and in the weeks that followed, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians evacuated their homes, seeking shelter in safer areas and in southern parts of the territory. By November 5, IDF forces had encircled Gaza City and cut off supplies in central Gaza, while fighting continued in other districts.
The political leadership in Israel has repeatedly asserted that Hamas must be defeated, reinforcing a determination to dismantle the group’s command structure and prevent future attacks. The unfolding sequence of military moves and humanitarian concerns has drawn international attention and prompted ongoing discussions about the protection of civilians amid a prolonged and highly contested conflict.