Israel Defense Forces Enter Nasr Hospital in Gaza During Ongoing Strife
Forces from the Israeli Defense Forces entered Nasr Hospital in Jan Yunis, located in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, amid weeks of siege. The move occurred despite warnings issued by hospital personnel and by human rights groups. A military spokesperson characterized the operation as precise and limited, confirming the detention of several suspects while stressing the objective of evacuating parts of the facility to reduce collateral damage and preserve essential patient care functions.
The Israeli military has maintained that its actions comply with international law, arguing that militants associated with Hamas are believed to be using civilian structures, including hospitals and schools, as shelter. The spokesperson noted credible information regarding the possible concealment of hostages within the hospital and mentioned the presence of bodies believed to be tied to individuals taken during the October 7 attacks. The statement underscored a commitment to pursue those hiding within urban shelters wherever they may be found.
According to official claims, more than 85 percent of Gaza’s medical facilities are under Hamas control and used to conduct terrorist operations. In the Nasr Hospital case, the stated aim was to enable continued delivery of crucial medical services to the local population while addressing security concerns.
Officials described outreach to hospital staff in recent days that indicated evacuation of patients or workers was not mandatory. However, residents of Gaza were urged to move away from the dangerous environment through Arabic language phone calls and loudspeakers, in an attempt to minimize harm while security operations proceeded nearby.
The authorities asserted that a safe corridor had been established to allow civilian evacuation from Nasr Hospital. This claim was later challenged by the World Health Organization, whose leadership expressed concern about the looming incursion and the potential impact on medical care inside the facility.
Health officials in Gaza, closely associated with Hamas, reported a catastrophic situation inside Nasr Hospital following more than three weeks of military pressure and siege, highlighting the strain on medical personnel and patients alike.
MSF Withdraws From the Facility
Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) described a chaotic environment at Nasr Hospital, noting that one staff member could not be accounted for and another had been detained at surrounding army checkpoints. MSF accused Israeli authorities of breaking promises and of launching dawn strikes on the hospital despite assurances that patients and staff could remain in place. The organization confirmed that its personnel were forced to leave as safety conditions deteriorated.
MSF called for an immediate cessation of hostilities around the facility, arguing that the attack jeopardizes medical personnel and patients who remain inside. The organization stressed the need to uphold medical neutrality and to ensure continued access to care for those in need, even amid security operations nearby.