Palestinians who fled during an ongoing Israeli raid in and around the Gaza Strip's main hospital described days of heavy fighting, mass arrests, forced marches past dead bodies, and flattened buildings. The Israeli military reported killing over 170 militants and detaining some 480 suspects in the raid on Shifa Hospital that began last Monday. The military portrayed it as a significant blow to Hamas and other armed groups that had regrouped in the medical compound.
The raid highlighted the resilience of Palestinian armed groups in an isolated and heavily destroyed part of Gaza. Residents described huddling in fear as gunfire and explosions echoed outside, causing buildings to shake. Israeli troops stormed buildings, forced residents to leave, and detained individuals. Tanks were used to intimidate and terrorize the residents during the evacuation.
