The Hamas-controlled Gaza Health Ministry has reported that the Israeli military has withdrawn tanks and military vehicles from the area surrounding al-Shifa, the main hospital in the besieged Gaza Strip.
According to the Gaza Health Ministry, several bodies were discovered within hospitals following the operation. Witnesses and journalists observed tanks and vehicles departing from the hospital area. The news comes from AFP.
While the Israeli military (IDF) has yet to confirm the withdrawal of troops, they previously stated that the operation conducted on March 18 was targeted at a hideout of Hamas fighters within the hospital compound.
The IDF claimed that the operation aimed to root out Hamas militants, asserting that hundreds of fighters were killed in clashes in and around al-Shifa.
Contrary to the IDF's claims, Hamas denied reports of health services being halted at al-Shifa and other hospitals. The Ministry of Health released a statement expressing concern over the recovery of dozens of bodies in the vicinity of the Al-Shifa Medical Complex, with some bodies showing signs of decomposition.
Allegedly, the Israeli military withdrew from the Al-Shifa Medical Complex after causing extensive damage to key buildings, rendering them inoperable. The Ministry of Health described the level of destruction within the complex and surrounding areas as severe.
An AFP reporter on the scene noted significant damage to several buildings within the complex, with some areas affected by fire. Medics reported the recovery of over 20 bodies, some of which were reportedly crushed by Israeli vehicles during evacuation efforts.
Meanwhile, Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the chief of the World Health Organization (WHO), urged the evacuation of patients from Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza. Taking to social media, he highlighted the loss of at least 21 patients during the Israeli operation since March 18.
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