Israel Arrests 180 Terror Suspects in Operation at Shifa Hospital

Latest Developments

Israeli troops continued precise operations against Hamas terrorists at Shifa Hospital in northern Gaza, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on March 19. The IDF apprehended 180 suspects at the hospital compound. Israel accused Hamas of deliberately embedding terrorists and terrorist “infrastructure” in civilian areas, such as Shifa Hospital. “The troops eliminated terrorists in close-quarters combat and located weapons in the area while avoiding harm to civilians, medical staff, and medical equipment,” the IDF said. It added that the operation eliminated 50 terrorists. The IDF previously revealed that Hamas had built tunnels under Shifa Hospital. Hamas has sought to return to areas such as Shifa Hospital after its defeat in northern Gaza in November.

Expert Analysis

“Hamas is attempting to return to the northern Gaza strip and reconstitute itself as a threat to Israel and a threat to Gazan civilians. The raid at Shifa Hospital provides further evidence of the extent to which Hamas has sought to exploit hospitals and civilian areas to embed itself and hide behind human shields. It is essential that Israel receive the support and time to be able to uproot Hamas terrorists and their infrastructure from sites such as Shifa Hospital.” — Seth J. Frantzman, FDD Adjunct Fellow

“Throughout the war, Hamas and its allies in the Gaza Strip have shown that their priority is self-preservation rather than the welfare of the Palestinian people. This has been demonstrated time and again by the disturbing tactic of using hospitals as bases for attacks against Israeli troops. Israel is currently achieving success on the battlefield, but it requires the time to execute its strategic objectives and achieve a comprehensive victory.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst at FDD’s Long War Journal

Two IDF Soldiers Killed Battling Terrorists at Shifa Hospital

The IDF said that two soldiers have been killed since it began operations targeting terrorists in and around Shifa Hospital on March 18. “Warrant Officer Haion is the second IDF casualty in the fighting in the Gazan hospital since the renewal of operations there early on Monday, after Nahal Brigade soldier Staff Sergeant Matan Vinogradov, was killed in battles against Hamas terrorists inside the hospital,” Ynet reported on March 19. The casualties bring the number of Israeli soldiers and security personnel killed since Hamas’s October 7 attack to 594, including 251 killed since ground operations against Hamas began on October 27.

The IDF also said on March 19 that operations continue against terrorists in other parts of Gaza. In one clash in central Gaza, the IDF eliminated terrorists who fired at Israeli troops. In another incident, the IDF destroyed anti-tank missile launching sites in Khan Younis. 

Related Analysis

“IDF Targets Hamas Terrorists Using Shifa Hospital as Command Center,” FDD Flash Brief

“Hamas Member Admits It Uses Hospital as Command Center,” FDD Flash Brief

“10 Things to Know About Hamas and Hospitals,” FDD Insight