Israeli forces have detained more than 240 Palestinians, including dozens of medical staff from a hospital in northern Gaza they raided on Friday, according to the Health Ministry in the enclave and Israel’s military.
The raid on Kamal Adwan Hospital led to the arrest of its director, Hussam Abu Safiya. The Health Ministry expressed deep concern for his well-being after staff members released late on Friday reported that he had been beaten by soldiers.
Israel’s military stated that the hospital was being used as a command center for Hamas military operations and that those arrested were suspected militants. They said Abu Safiya was detained for questioning on suspicion of being a Hamas operative.
Hamas has dismissed Israel’s claims that its fighters operated from the hospital throughout the 15-month-old Gaza conflict, asserting that no fighters were present in the hospital. The group has yet to comment on the arrests of the 240 Palestinians.
In a statement on Saturday, Hamas called on the United Nations and international agencies to urgently intervene to protect the remaining hospitals and medical facilities in northern Gaza and to ensure they receive necessary supplies. They also urged for UN observers to be sent to medical facilities in Gaza to refute Israeli allegations that they are being used for military purposes.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
