IDF Spokesperson Reveals Hamas and PIJ Militarization of Shifa Hospital

By Yoni Weiss

Daniel Hagari, the IDF spokesperson, on Monday provided insight into the military operation aimed at targeting Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) activities within Gaza’s Shifa Hospital.

The operation, focused on dismantling terrorist networks operating within the medical facility, showcased the IDF’s strategic approach to addressing security threats while striving to minimize civilian casualties.

Hagari highlighted the unexpected need to revisit Shifa Hospital, noting that the IDF had not initially planned to return nor had they installed intelligence devices after the initial departure.

The decision to re-engage was based on intelligence gathered through various means, including open-source and human intelligence, indicating ongoing terrorist activities within the hospital premises.

“We did not plan to come back to Shifa, and we did not put intelligence devices after we left the first time to know who was going inside the hospital,” stated Hagari. “We just conducted the operation after we understood what was going inside.”

Regarding operational dynamics, Hagari underscored the strategic deployment of elite units to execute swift and precise actions aimed at neutralizing terrorist threats. Despite encountering heavy resistance from Hamas and PIJ operatives, IDF forces successfully evacuated civilians from the hospital, prioritizing their safety amid the volatile environment.

“We evacuated all the civilians out of the hospital,” affirmed Hagari. “We arrested 900 [people on] suspicions of terror, among them 513 Hamas and PIJ terrorists.”

Highlighting the mission’s complexity, Hagari detailed the challenges faced by IDF forces, including mortar attacks launched from within the hospital compound.

Despite the obstacles, IDF personnel demonstrated resilience and professionalism, effectively disrupting terrorist activities while striving to minimize damage to medical facilities.

“We had to minimize damages to facilities, but Hamas and PIJ destroyed it,” noted Hagari.

Furthermore, Hagari provided insights into ongoing IDF efforts to maintain security in Gaza, emphasizing proactive measures to counter terrorist activities in various areas, including Khan Yunis and other zones.

“We are working with fewer forces in the northern part of the Gaza strip,” explained Hagari. “We are also conducting raids when we understand terror activities are occurring in some zones.”