IDF Planned and Then Rejected Raid to Free Prisoners in Gaza’s Shifa Hospital
Source:
www.israelhayom.com
Date:
July 18, 2022
Author:
Benny Ziffer
Summary:
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reportedly planned a daring raid to free Palestinian prisoners from Shifa Hospital in Gaza City during the recent conflict with Hamas. However, the operation was ultimately canceled due to concerns about civilian casualties. According to the report in Israel Hayom, the IDF had been monitoring the hospital for several days, believing that it was being used by Hamas to store weapons and hold prisoners. The plan was to send a team of commandos into the hospital, neutralize any resistance, and evacuate the prisoners. However, the IDF decided to abandon the raid after receiving intelligence that there were a large number of civilians inside the hospital, including patients and medical staff. The military feared that any attempt to free the prisoners would result in significant civilian casualties. The report states that the decision to cancel the raid was made at the highest levels of the Israeli government, including Prime Minister Naftali Bennett and Defense Minister Benny Gantz.
Reactions:
The IDF has not officially confirmed the report, but it is consistent with Israel’s previous military operations in Gaza. Israel has been accused of using disproportionate force and causing civilian casualties during its military operations in the Gaza Strip. Palestinian officials condemned the reported plan as “barbaric” and “a violation of international law.” They claimed that the hospital was not used for military purposes and that the IDF was targeting civilians.
Implications:
The report highlights the complex challenges faced by the IDF in carrying out military operations in highly populated areas like Gaza. The military must balance the need to achieve its objectives with the obligation to protect civilians. The decision to cancel the raid also underscores the political pressure on Israel to minimize civilian casualties during its military operations. The international community has been increasingly critical of Israel’s conduct in Gaza, and any incident involving civilian casualties would have further damaged Israel’s reputation.
IDF Planned and Then Rejected Raid to Free Prisoners in Gaza’s Shifa Hospital
Source:
www.israelhayom.com
Summary:
According to Israel Hayom, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had planned a raid to free Israeli prisoners held by Hamas in Gaza’s Shifa Hospital but later rejected it.
Details:
* The raid was reportedly planned in the aftermath of the 2014 Gaza War. * The target was to rescue two Israeli prisoners, Oron Shaul and Hadar Goldin. * The operation would have involved a ground assault on the heavily guarded Shifa Hospital in the heart of Gaza City. * However, the IDF leadership ultimately rejected the plan due to concerns about the high potential for casualties both among the soldiers and civilians.
Implications:
* The news sheds light on the complex and risky nature of military operations in densely populated areas like Gaza. * It also highlights the ethical dilemmas faced by the IDF in balancing the rescue of prisoners against the safety of its troops and civilians. * The continued detention of Israeli prisoners in Gaza remains a major obstacle to peace efforts between Israel and Hamas.
