The fighting around al-Shifa and its eventual seizure was the climactic moment of the first phase of Israel's offensive in Gaza, launched after Hamas killed 1,200 people and captured 250, mostly civilians, in a surprise raid on 7 October. There was bitter argument over whether the hospital's buildings and basements had been used by Hamas as a covert command centre, as Israel claimed, but none over the strength of Israel's control of the site when its soldiers moved in on 15 November.
Yesterday's raid is an implicit admission that this control seems to have slipped.
It is clear that Hamas is now operating in parts of northern Gaza that were supposedly controlled by Israeli forces. In February, there was fighting in Zeitoun, a neighbourhood of Gaza City, and al-Shati camp, farther up the coast.
There have even been clashes in Beit Hanoun, which was one of the first places overrun by Israeli forces at the beginning of the war.
Bu hikaye The Guardian dergisinin March 19, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
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Bu hikaye The Guardian dergisinin March 19, 2024 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
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