Israel launched a raid on the largest hospital in the Gaza Strip

The IDF says Hamas has hidden command posts in tunnels under the hospital. Photo: ISRAELI DEFENSE FORCES/via REUTERS

IDF announcement This morning, the IDF said soldiers did find weapons and “terrorist infrastructure,” but this indicates that the hospital is Hamas headquarters.

The IDF said said the soldiers arrived at night and there were no frictions with medical staff or patients he encountered. They said that they were in another section of the site.

“The IDF soldiers have already found weapons and other terrorist infrastructure. In the last hour, we have seen concrete evidence that Hamas terrorists were using Shifa Hospital as a terrorist headquarters,” said the official, who asked not to be identified.

Martin Griffiths, the UN humanitarian chief, said he was shocked by reports of military raids on the hospital, the largest in a 25-mile area.

He said that while he understands Israel wants to find Hamas leaders, there is no justification for turning hospitals into battlefields.< /p>

He said: “Hamas should not, should not, use a place like a hospital as a cover for its presence.”

“This is as strong a statement from a humanitarian law perspective as a statement that that hospitals should not become… war zones.

“I understand the concerns of the Israelis about trying to find the leadership of Hamas. This is not our problem. Our problem is to protect the people of Gaza from what is coming at them.”

Mr Griffiths said his main concern was “the welfare of the patients of this hospital, which of course is in great danger at the moment.”

“We don't have the fuel to keep it running. The babies do not have incubators; they have just been born. Some are already dead. We can't evict them. It’s too dangerous,” he said.

“Our concern is for the patients of the dysfunctional hospital.”

Newborns were removed from incubators after a power outage at the hospital earlier this week. Photo: Reuters

Earlier this week, the UN said it was estimated that at least 2,300 patients, staff and civilians were inside and may not have escaped due to heavy fighting.

< p>Staff and witnesses described horrific scenes inside the wards, with wards overflowing with wounded and medical supplies running low.

The International Red Cross said: “Every measure must be taken to avoid any consequences for them,” and insisted that “patients, medical personnel and civilians must be protected at all times.”