In a recent incident that has raised concerns over a possible violation of international law, surveillance footage emerges showing Israeli undercover forces infiltrating a Palestinian hospital in the occupied West Bank. The operation resulted in the killing of three Palestinian militants, but legal experts question the tactics employed by the Israeli commandos.
The footage reveals Israeli forces disguised as civilians and medical staff storming Ibn Sina Hospital in the city of Jenin in the occupied West Bank. With weapons drawn, they moved through the hospital corridor, temporarily detaining a man amid shouts of army. Several of the infiltrators wore hijabs and could easily have been mistaken for new parents, even carrying a baby carrier.
The Israeli military asserts that the operation targeted individuals affiliated with Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. One of the militants identified by Israeli officials is Mohammad Jalamneh, who they claim had plans to carry out a terrorist attack shortly. However, no specific details were provided to substantiate these claims.
Throughout the operation, the Israeli commandos disguised as civilians and medical personnel, which has led legal experts to raise concerns about a possible violation of international law. By blending in with civilians and medical workers, the Israeli forces potentially endangered the lives of innocent people and violated the principles of distinction and proportionality in armed conflicts.
One of the individuals targeted, Bassel al-Ghazawi, was receiving treatment for injuries sustained from a rocket attack. The hospital has reported that he was killed while sleeping in his bed, along with his brother Mohamed, who was also in the same room. Both individuals were affiliated with Islamic Jihad. The Israeli military claimed that one of the militants carried a firearm, but they did not confirm whether their troops had been fired upon.
Following the incident, intense clashes erupted in Jenin, with the Israeli military heavily cracking down on Palestinian militant groups. According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health, at least 381 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank since the October 7th attacks orchestrated by Hamas.
In related news, reports surface about Israeli forces surrounding Al-Amal Hospital in Khan Yunis, Gaza. The Palestine Red Crescent Society reveals that Israeli tanks have entered the hospital's front yard, firing live ammunition and smoke grenades. Hospital staff and displaced individuals are reportedly being evacuated at gunpoint, with the Israeli military allegedly urging the hospital's evacuation due to suspected Hamas military activities. However, the evacuation process is proving challenging with approximately 8,000 people seeking shelter at the hospital.
As of now, the Israeli military has not commented on the situation in Al-Amal Hospital. These incidents highlight the complexities and tensions surrounding the use of hospitals in conflict zones and raise important questions about adherence to international humanitarian law.
