Israel has announced that its forces are engaged in a "precise" operation against Hamas within a specific area of the al-Shifa medical complex, aiming to avoid harm to civilians allegedly used by Hamas as human shields.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that the incursion is based on intelligence information and operational necessity. The military claimed to have discovered a Hamas training facility, including tunnel shafts, classrooms, intelligence materials, and weapons.
The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) strongly condemned the incursion, labeling it as "totally unacceptable." The situation at al-Shifa hospital is reported to be increasingly dire, emphasizing the urgent need for a ceasefire to protect civilian lives.
Meanwhile, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of pursuing a strategy of "total destruction" in the Gaza Strip. Erdogan characterized Israel as a "terror state" implementing destructive tactics.
U.S. President Joe Biden reiterated that the "only" lasting solution to the Israel-Hamas conflict is a two-state resolution. He justified ongoing Israeli actions in Gaza by pointing out Hamas's public statements about planning further attacks on Israel.
Biden emphasized, "Hamas has already said publicly they plan on attacking Israel again, and so the idea they are going to just stop and not do anything is not realistic." He added that Israeli actions against Hamas will cease when Hamas "no longer has the capacity to do horrific things to the Israelis."
