IDF says it will help evacuate babies from Shifa Hospital tomorrow, Hamas losing control of north Gaza
Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari says ground forces, with air and naval support, are “deepening” operations in Gaza City’s al-Shati Refugee Camp.
He dismisses “false reports” that the IDF has hit Shifa Hospital and is surrounding and striking Gaza hospitals, saying that the IDF does not strike hospitals. Rather, he says, “We are fighting terrorists who are choosing to fight from close to Shifa Hospital.”
He says the IDF will continue to allow patients and staff at Gaza’s hospitals, and all noncombatants in northern Gaza, to evacuate to the south, and says he has spoken to staff at Shifa today to stress all of this.
Atypically, he then switches to English.
“There has been a lot of misinformation from Gaza today. So I want to clarify the facts. There is no siege, I repeat no siege, on Shifa Hospital. The east side of the hospital is open for the safe passage of Gazans who wish to leave the hospital,” Hagari says.
“We’re speaking directly and regularly with the hospital staff. The staff of Shifa Hospital has requested that tomorrow we will help the babies in the pediatric department to get to a safer hospital. We will provide the assistance needed.”
“There is something that the world must not forget, and we will not let the world forget it: Hamas has been holding hostages, 239 men, women, and children, elderly and babies — don’t forget babies — for 36 days. This is a crime against humanity and we will not let the world forget it,” adds the IDF spokesman, still in English.
Hagari says Hamas is losing control of northern Gaza, as civilians evacuate the area “against the instructions” of the terror group.
