Israel finds boxes of medicine intended for Gaza hostages in hospital

The names of hostages were written on the boxes with the medications, which appeared to have never reached the captives.

 Palestinians seen outside Nasser hospital in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, November 24, 2023 (photo credit: REUTERS/SALEH SALEM)
Palestinians seen outside Nasser hospital in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, November 24, 2023
(photo credit: REUTERS/SALEH SALEM)

Israel has updated families of Gaza hostages on Friday that IDF found boxes with medicine, intended for their loved ones in Hamas captivity, at the Nasser Hospital in the southern Gazan city of Khan Yunis, the IDF confirmed following a Channel 13 report.

The names of hostages were written on the boxes with the medications, which appeared to have never reached the captives. The finding is being examined, the IDF said.

Israeli forces launched a targeted operation within the hospital on Thursday, aiming to apprehend Hamas terrorists and recover the bodies of hostages.

 IDF soldier talks with doctor at Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, Gaza, February 16, 2024. (credit: IDF SPOKESMAN’S UNIT)
IDF soldier talks with doctor at Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, Gaza, February 16, 2024. (credit: IDF SPOKESMAN’S UNIT)

The IDF announced it had begun delivering supplies to Nasser Hospital, including water, medicine, and food according to an IDF spokesperson. 

Additionally, Shayetet 13 special forces brought replacement generators for the hospital while engineers try to get the main generator back online.

IDF delivering aid to Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, February 16, 2024. (CREDIT: IDF spokesperson)

IDF: We have credible intel hostages' bodies are at Nasser Hospital

In a Thursday briefing, IDF Spokesperson R.-Adm. Daniel Hagari stated, “Sadly, we know that some hostages are no longer alive. We are committed to finding and returning the bodies of those hostages in Gaza.

“We have credible intelligence from a number of sources, including from released hostages, indicating that Hamas held hostages at the Nasser hospital in Khan Yunis and that there may be bodies of our hostages in the Nasser hospital facility,” Hagari continued.

The IDF also announced that they had located weapons in the hospital and detained dozens of suspects for questioning, including more than 20 terrorists who participated in the October 7 massacre.

Maj.-Gen. Yaron Finkelman, commander of the Southern Commander, said "This was a precise, high-quality, and focused operation, which so far has helped us arrest dozens of terrorists, including murderous terrorists inside the hospital. We will continue, act, and fight everywhere, including here in the city of Khan Yunis, in the heart of the city, and everywhere in the Gaza Strip."