The IDF launched a targeted operation within Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis in southern Gaza, aiming to apprehend Hamas terrorists and recover the bodies of hostages, the military revealed on Thursday.
The goal of the IDF operation is to reach Hamas terrorists, including those suspected of involvement in the October 7 massacre, the IDF stated.
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.
WATCH as a Hamas operative admits to israeli hostages being held and Hamas terrorists hiding behind civilians in Nasser Hospital: pic.twitter.com/Rr7PCDF6gm
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) February 15, 2024
“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 has officially contacted the director of Nasser Hospital, calling for the immediate cessation of all Hamas terrorist activity from within the hospital and the immediate evacuation of all Hamas terrorists from within.
“Because Hamas terrorists are likely hiding behind injured civilians inside Nasser hospital right now and appear to have used the hospital to hide our hostages there too, the IDF is conducting a precise and limited operation inside Nasser hospital. This sensitive operation was prepared with precision and is being conducted by IDF special forces who underwent specified training,” he said.
Hamas's use of hospitals and civilian infrastructure
Hamas carried out an attack against IDF soldiers in Khan Yunis from Nasser Hospital in January, substantiating IDF claims that hospitals are part of the civilian infrastructure used as covers for Hamas.
“As was proven with the Shifa Hospital; Rantisi Hospital; Al Amal Hospital; and many other hospitals across Gaza, Hamas systematically uses hospitals as terror hubs,” Hagari continued.
“According to intelligence assessments and information we gathered on the ground, over 85% of major medical facilities in Gaza have been used by Hamas for terror operations.”
Hagari concluded that “A key objective as defined by our military mission is to ensure that the Nasser hospital continues its important function of treating Gazan patients.”
At press time though the IDF still had not found any bodies of hostages.
There were also reports of an airstrike hitting some portion of the hospital, but the IDF did not confirm the reports.
Also on Thursday, the IDF and the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency) undertook a joint assassination of the Hamas battalion commander Ahmad Gul in the Shati area.
The IDF said that Gul participated in the October 7 massacre and held Noa Marciano hostage before she was later killed by Hamas around Shifa Hospital.
Next, the IDF announced that Sgt. Rotem Sahar Hadar, a 20-year-old paratrooper from Kfar Aviv, fell in battle in southern Gaza.
The soldier's family has been notified.
Separately, Israeli ground and air force units targeted numerous Hamas terrorists across the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli Air Force carried out several strikes throughout Gaza as part of their coordination with ground forces. The operation destroyed several underground and military infrastructure targets, as well as Hamas-deployed rocket launchers.
Combat soldiers from the Nahal Brigade eliminated several terrorists in central Gaza, including a Hamas commander.
In addition, Israeli naval and artillery units were able to stop a squad of terrorists nearing IDF troops in the area.
In northern Gaza, the IDF 215th Brigade planned and carried out targeted assassinations in and around Gaza City. Israeli troops killed 15 Hamas terrorists, among them a Hamas security official as well as terrorists who took part in the October 7 massacre.
IDF commandos continued to eliminate and raid terrorist targets in the Khan Yunis area and found weapons, explosives, and other military equipment belonging to terrorist groups. As part of another operation in Khan Yunis, troops from the 646th Brigade identified enemy targets and directed aircraft to attack and eliminate the terrorists.
Soldiers from the 7th Brigade operated in the western region of Khan Yunis were able to eliminate terrorists through sniper fire and tank shelling. The IDF troops raided several targets in the area, where they found Kalashnikov rifles, ammunition, and explosives.
Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.