New details have emerged regarding a recent raid conducted by Israeli forces on a hospital in the occupied West Bank. Reportedly, three Palestinians were killed during the operation, which has prompted Israel to defend its actions by stating that hospitals should not serve as a cover for terrorism.
The raid took place at the Ibn Sina hospital in the city of Jenin. Disturbing images have surfaced showing Israeli forces disguised as civilians and medical staff, brandishing weapons as they moved through the hospital corridors. The operatives, some of whom were even wearing hijabs, successfully infiltrated the hospital, detaining one individual along the way.
The Israeli military claims that the raid was necessary as the hospital had become a hiding place for wanted suspects and a base for planning and carrying out terrorist activities. However, they have not provided specific details or evidence to support these allegations. Legal experts have raised concerns that the Israeli commandos may have violated international law by disguising themselves as civilians and medical personnel.
Among the Palestinians killed during the raid were Mohammad Jalamneh and two brothers, Bassel al-Ghazali and Mohamed Ghazawi. Jalamneh was accused by the Israeli military of planning a future terrorist attack, although no further information was provided. Bassel al-Ghazali was receiving treatment for injuries sustained from a rocket explosion when he was shot and killed in his hospital bed. His brother Mohamed was also killed in the same room. Both brothers were said to be affiliated with the group Islamic Jihad.
Critics of the Israeli military's actions have condemned the killings, emphasizing that the men were unarmed and in a vulnerable state. Eyewitness accounts suggest that they were shot at close range, with direct gunshots to the head.
In the aftermath of the raid, Jenin witnessed fierce battles between Palestinian militant groups and Israeli forces. This escalation in violence comes amid a broader crackdown on these groups by the Israeli military, resulting in the deaths of at least 381 Palestinians in the West Bank since the recent attacks carried out by Hamas on October 7th, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.
The incident has sparked international concern and calls for an independent investigation into the actions of the Israeli military. The use of hospitals for military operations raises questions about the protection and sanctity of medical facilities. Advocates argue that hospitals should remain neutral spaces, free from violence and interference, in order to provide medical care to those in need, irrespective of their affiliations.
