عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Arab World

Israel Stages Airstrikes across Gaza, Makes Up to 100 Arrests at Nasser Hospital

A Palestinian looks at the devastation caused by the Israeli bombing in the Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip (AP)
A Palestinian looks at the devastation caused by the Israeli bombing in the Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip (AP)
TT
TT

Israel Stages Airstrikes across Gaza, Makes Up to 100 Arrests at Nasser Hospital

A Palestinian looks at the devastation caused by the Israeli bombing in the Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip (AP)
A Palestinian looks at the devastation caused by the Israeli bombing in the Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip (AP)

Israeli forces carried out arrests in Gaza's largest functioning hospital, health officials and the military said on Saturday, as airstrikes hit across the enclave and rain battered Palestinians taking shelter in Rafah.

Israeli forces raided the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis on Thursday as they pressed their war on Hamas, the Palestinian Islamist group that rules the enclave.

"Occupation forces detained a large number of medical staff members inside Nasser Medical Complex, which they (Israel) turned into a military base," said Gaza Health Ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qidra, Reuters reported.

The Israeli military said it was hunting for militants in Nasser and had so far arrested 100 suspects on the premises, killed gunmen near the hospital and found weapons inside it.

Hamas has denied allegations that its fighters use medical facilities for cover. At least two released Israeli hostages have said they were held in Nasser.

The Israeli incursion into the hospital has raised alarm about patients, medical workers and displaced Palestinians sheltering there.

About 10,000 people were seeking shelter at the hospital earlier this week, but many left either in anticipation of the Israeli raid or because of Israeli orders to evacuate, the Gaza Health Ministry said.

Further south in Rafah, where more than half of Gaza's 2.3 million population are sheltering, the winter cold added to already dire conditions when wind blew away some tents of the displaced and rain flooded others.

Israeli plans to storm Rafah have prompted international concern that such action would sharply worsen the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

Also, Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh blamed Israel for a lack of progress in achieving a ceasefire deal in Gaza, the group said in a statement on Saturday.

Haniyeh added that Hamas would not accept anything less than a complete cessation of hostilities, Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, and "lifting of the unjust siege," as well as a release of Palestinian prisoners serving long sentences in Israeli jails.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed "complete victory" over Hamas but added on Wednesday that flexibility in the group's position could move forward negotiations for a deal that would see hostages released.

Israel's air and ground offensive has devastated much of Gaza and forced nearly all of its inhabitants from their homes. Palestinian health authorities say 28,858 people, mostly civilians, have been killed.

The war began when Hamas sent fighters into Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and seizing 253 hostages, according to Israeli tallies.

At least 83 people were killed in airstrikes across the Gaza Strip since Friday, health officials said, including one person on Saturday in Rafah, an area that borders Egypt and which Israel says is Hamas' last bastion.

Across the border, air raid sirens warning of incoming rockets sounded in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon on Saturday.

 

 

 

 

 

Most Viewed

 
 
Arab World

Israeli Evacuation Alerts Lead to Confusion in Lebanese Towns

Significant destruction in Nabatieh, southern Lebanon, following Israeli airstrikes (AFP)
Significant destruction in Nabatieh, southern Lebanon, following Israeli airstrikes (AFP)
TT
TT

Israeli Evacuation Alerts Lead to Confusion in Lebanese Towns

Significant destruction in Nabatieh, southern Lebanon, following Israeli airstrikes (AFP)
Significant destruction in Nabatieh, southern Lebanon, following Israeli airstrikes (AFP)

Israeli evacuation alerts in large areas of Mount Lebanon, southern Lebanon, and the east have created significant chaos in the country.

This unusual move coincided with increased airstrikes as Israel sought to strengthen its ground presence along the border.

However, Hezbollah has denied that Israeli forces have captured any villages, stating that “the resistance knows how to confront them,” despite the intense air attacks.

The Israeli military has begun issuing evacuation warnings for regions in the south, the Bekaa Valley, and the town of Wardaniyah in Chouf district. These alerts were quickly followed by airstrikes on designated targets.

The evacuation orders have caused confusion for displaced people and the areas where they sought shelter, forcing many to flee quickly. This turmoil has been captured in images shared on social media after the evacuation notice for Wardaniyah.

Since morning, Israeli aircraft have targeted most of the buildings marked for evacuation in a wide-ranging attack across the south and the Bekaa Valley (east), along with heavy strikes on border areas. Israeli forces are facing fierce fighting against Hezbollah, and sources say Hezbollah is trying to engage directly with Israeli troops to limit their air support.

Lebanese media reported that the Israeli military made an eighth attempt to breach the defensive line in Labounah in the western sector, but Hezbollah fighters successfully repelled the attack.

The group claimed its fighters hit four Merkava tanks in the Labounah heights with guided missiles, setting them on fire and causing casualties among their crews.

Hezbollah announced it targeted Israeli positions in the Shebaa Farms, the Lebanese town of Blida, and along the Masghav Axis, facing the towns of Adaisseh and Kfar Kila in the Upper Galilee. The group also reported launching missiles at the eastern and western Galilee.

In response, Israeli media shared videos showing the Israeli flag raised over a water tank in the border town of Aita al-Shaab, surrounded by rubble from destroyed buildings. Lebanese reports noted that the tank is located about 700 meters from the border.

On Wednesday evening, Aita al-Shaab and its surroundings saw some of the fiercest fighting, with the Israeli army releasing videos of close combat in the town.

Intense clashes also occurred in Qouzah and Ramia as Israeli forces tried to advance and control the heights of Qouzah to gain a strategic view of nearby towns.

Hezbollah’s Position

As fighting continues for the 18th day, Hassan Fadlallah, a member of Hezbollah’s Loyalty to the Resistance Bloc, stated that “the Israeli enemy has failed to achieve any of its goals, such as returning settlers to the north and driving away resistance fighters.”

“We will not discuss the details of negotiations, as we believe that Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri can serve the nation’s interests,” he added.

At a press conference in Parliament, Fadlallah addressed the war’s developments, noting that “the occupation has not captured any villages despite extensive airstrikes.”

He emphasized that “the resistance on the ground knows how to confront the enemy” and mentioned that “the issue of a ceasefire is with Speaker Berri and caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati.”

Fadlallah accused Israeli forces of using a scorched-earth strategy, systematically destroying villages, especially in the south, to implement their long-term plan for a buffer zone.

He claimed this plan has been in place since 1978 and vowed that “the resistance will thwart this project.”

On the Israeli side, army spokesman Avichai Adraee announced the killing of Hezbollah battalion commander Hussein Muhammad Awada in the Bint Jbeil area. He said Awada was responsible for launching missiles from various villages toward Israel.

Adraee also claimed killing dozens of fighters in southern Lebanon and destroying over 150 targets.