Israeli tanks surround Indonesian hospital in northern Gaza

(Patria) - Israeli tanks have surrounded the Indonesian hospital in Gaza, the BBC reported.

Hospital director, Dr. Marwan Al-Sultan, told the BBC that the post-operative care unit was hit and that soldiers are only 20 meters away. On Monday evening, he said intermittent gunfire could still be heard on site.

The Israeli army (IDF) says it targeted "terrorists" who opened fire on them from the hospital.
The head of the World Health Organization, Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, said on X that he was "appalled", adding that "healthcare workers and civilians should never be exposed to such horror, especially while in a hospital".

On Monday morning, video footage shows several tanks stationed on a road about 240 meters northeast of the Indonesian hospital, funded by Indonesia.

The official Palestinian news agency Wafa quoted medical sources as saying that dozens of Israeli armored vehicles are in the vicinity and that snipers are on the rooftops,
preventing ambulances from reaching the hospital.

The Ministry of Health announced that 12 injured patients and their companions were killed, and dozens were injured when an Israeli shell hit the second floor of the facility. Dr. Al-Sultan said he heard gunfire all around the building during the night and that at least 10 people were killed.

Al Jazeera published a video it says shows journalist Anas al-Sharif passing through the hospital after the incident. The body of at least one person could be seen, as well as damage to the ceiling and equipment in several rooms and corridors. Sharif reported that "victims were piling up on the floor" and that there was "great panic" among the patients.

An IDF spokesperson said that "terrorists opened fire from the Indonesian hospital in Gaza last night on IDF troops operating outside the hospital. In response, IDF troops directly targeted the specific source of enemy fire. No shells were fired at the hospital."

"Despite the challenges the IDF faces in fighting a terrorist organization operating out of hospitals, the IDF is committed to international law and takes numerous measures to minimize harm to non-combatants," they added.

Hamas has denied using Al-Shifa and other hospitals as shields for its fighters.