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The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued a statement on Friday refuting reports that it had attacked the Indonesian Hospital in Jabaliya, Gaza, and emphasized that no essential equipment had been damaged.
The military dismissed accusations made by Hamas, which had claimed that the IDF’s strike had destroyed vital facilities within the hospital, rendering it incapable of providing medical services.
According to the IDF, following these reports, the military reached out to health authorities to clarify the situation and reassure them that there was no need to evacuate the hospital.
The IDF made it clear that its operations did not include targeting or evacuating the facility, and the military continues to coordinate with hospital officials to ensure that humanitarian aid can reach the hospital without disruption.
Hamas, however, maintained its accusations, claiming that the Israeli strike had set fire to several schools and homes in the surrounding area and had destroyed key hospital facilities.
The group also called on “free peoples” to take action against Israel, accusing the country of ongoing war crimes with the backing of the United States.
Hamas’s narrative aligns with its broader calls for international intervention, which have intensified during the ongoing conflict.
The military’s statement came in response to Hamas’s claims, which followed earlier allegations by the group that Israel had targeted civilian infrastructure.
It is well-documented that Hamas has used such sites, including hospitals, for its military operations, a fact that the IDF has repeatedly highlighted in its operations and statements.
The war, which erupted on October 7, 2023, after Hamas breached a ceasefire and launched an attack on southern Israel, has resulted in significant casualties and widespread destruction.
In its campaign, Hamas committed acts of sexual violence, war crimes, and abducted over 250 individuals, many of whom remain held captive in Gaza.
In response to these actions, the IDF has conducted numerous operations against Hamas military infrastructure, including areas used for civilian purposes.
The IDF’s operations against Hamas have also uncovered evidence of the group’s use of hospitals and other civilian structures for terrorist activities. Earlier in December 2023, the IDF found evidence of hostages being held at the Indonesian Hospital.
Additionally, footage released by the IDF earlier this week showed terrorists planting explosives just meters from the hospital’s grounds.
The military has continued to target Hamas operatives and infrastructure, even as it stresses its efforts to avoid harming civilians and medical facilities.
While Hamas continues to accuse Israel of targeting non-combatant sites, the IDF maintains that its primary focus is dismantling Hamas’s terrorist infrastructure while providing humanitarian aid to Gaza.
The situation remains tense, with both sides continuing to engage in intense military operations, with civilians on both sides caught in the crossfire.
The ongoing war has drawn international attention, with calls for accountability from both sides, as well as pressure to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and surrounding regions.