The Israeli army on Monday confirmed that it has withdrawn from Al-Shifa Hospital and its vicinity in Gaza City, ending a two-week-long siege on the medical complex that leaves a trail of death and destruction.
Gaza’s civil defence said that around 300 people were killed during the raid. Reports of sexual violence and field executions of children and medical staff were reported during the military operation that ended in the burning down of the buildings of the biggest medical facility in the besieged enclave.
The World Health Organization (WHO) said that 21 patients in the hospital have died since the siege began on 18 March. When the raids began, hundreds of displaced people were taking shelter in the hospital complex.
The Israeli military said it had completed operational activity in the area of the hospital and claimed to have killed and captured numerous Hamas fighters.
The army launched the second raid on Gaza’s largest hospital on March 18. They claimed it was targeting Hamas fighters who were using the complex as a base. Hamas has denied operating from al-Shifa or other health facilities.
