GAZA, March 24 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli army on Sunday surrounded two hospitals in the southern Gaza Strip amid shelling and gunfire, Palestinian sources reported.
The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said in a brief statement that Israeli army forces "suddenly surrounded both Al-Amal and Nasser Hospital amid very violent bombardment and heavy gunfire."
The statement added that "military vehicles are surrounding the two hospitals and are carrying out extensive leveling operations in their surroundings," noting that all medical teams are under "extreme danger and cannot move at all."
There was no immediate comment from the Israeli army.
Meanwhile, the Palestinian Ministry of Foreign Affairs warned in a statement against committing "massacres" in Nasser and Al-Amal Hospitals in Khan Younis.
The statement said that the Israeli army began a "violent attack towards Nasser and Al-Amal and their surroundings, explicitly and publicly targeting medical personnel, displaced people, and patients present there."
Last month, the Israeli army carried out a 10-day military operation in the Nasser Hospital with displaced people and patients housed, leading to the arrests of about 200 alleged suspects in Hamas activities.
It bombed and destroyed buildings and various sections of the hospital, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza.
In addition, the Israeli army continues its military operation in the Al-Shifa Medical Complex, west of the city, for the 7th day in a row. As a result, patients and displaced people suffer from a lack of health services, food, and water.
The recent operation began early Monday, with the Israeli forces attacking the compound in Gaza City with tanks and airstrikes.
Israel has been launching a large-scale offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip to retaliate against a Hamas rampage through the southern Israeli border on Oct. 7, 2023, during which about 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 were taken hostage. ■
