In a startling development that has intensified the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced the discovery of a 55-meter-long tunnel beneath the Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza. This sensational discovery, made during a major military operation, has sent shockwaves across the region, with the IDF revealing the tunnel’s strategic depth of 10 meters under the hospital complex.

Explosive Accusations and Defensive Measures

The IDF’s statement, coupled with a dramatic two-minute-long video, unveils the tunnel’s intricate design, complete with a blast-proof door and a firing hole. This revelation has fueled the IDF’s accusations against Hamas, alleging their use of the residents of Gaza and patients of Al-Shifa Hospital as human shields, a tactic condemned globally.

Al-Shifa Hospital: A Contested War Zone

Al-Shifa hospital, the largest medical facility in the Gaza Strip, has become a controversial focal point in the bitter war between Israel and Hamas. The Israeli military’s claim that Hamas uses the hospital as a base has been vehemently denied by Hamas and the hospital’s medical staff, adding layers of complexity to the already fraught Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

World Health Organization’s Grave Warning

Amidst this escalating tension, the World Health Organization (WHO) has shockingly labeled Al-Shifa hospital a “death zone,” announcing evacuation plans due to the dire situation. The WHO’s urgent call for an immediate ceasefire highlights the extreme suffering of the people of Gaza and the critical state of nearby medical facilities.

Mass Exodus and United Nations’ Intervention

In a heart-wrenching scene, hundreds of people, including amputees and the seriously ill, fled the hospital on foot following orders from the Israeli army. This mass evacuation, reported by AFP, saw columns of sick and injured alongside doctors and nurses leaving the hospital amidst loud explosions. The United Nations has stepped in, coordinating the evacuation of 31 premature babies to Egypt for urgent care, underscoring the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza.

A Tumultuous Period in Middle East Relations

This sensational development marks a new chapter in the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The discovery of the tunnel by the Israeli forces under Al-Shifa hospital raises serious questions about military tactics and the sanctity of medical facilities in war zones. As tensions escalate, the world watches anxiously, hoping for a resolution to this enduring conflict.

  Al-Shifa hospital, Gaza, Hamas, Israel, Palestine, WHO