Israeli troops order evacuation of al-Shifa hospital

Israeli forces have issued an evacuation order for al-Shifa Hospital, Gaza’s largest medical facility, within the next hour, Agence France-Presse reported on Saturday morning.

The directive conveyed through loudspeakers on Saturday, is part of an ongoing operation to search for potential Hamas hideouts within the hospital.

Israel alleges that Hamas maintains a base beneath al-Shifa, a claim vehemently denied by the militants. The United Nations estimates that around 2,300 individuals, including patients, staff, and displaced Palestinians, sought shelter at al-Shifa before Israeli troops entered on Wednesday.

Amid intense combat and fuel shortages leading to power cuts, the Hamas health ministry in Gaza has reported numerous deaths at al-Shifa. Israel has repeatedly called for the hospital’s evacuation to the south, while medical professionals argue that moving patients is not feasible.

The hospital director, Mohammed Abu Salmiya, told AFP Israeli troops instructed him to ensure “the evacuation of patients, wounded, the displaced and medical staff, and that they should move on foot towards the seafront”.