JERUSALEM, Oct. 28 (Xinhua) -- The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement on Monday that it, along with the Israel Security Agency, apprehended about 100 militants during an operation in Kamal Adwan Hospital in Jabalia, northern Gaza Strip.
According to several media outlets, the raid on the hospital began on Friday and ended the next day.
The IDF said the operation was carried out following intelligence information indicating that "terrorists had embedded themselves inside the hospital," and aimed to "thwart terrorist activities and apprehend terrorists."
It noted that some of the detained militants attempted to escape during the evacuation of civilians from the hospital, adding that among them were Hamas members who took part in the attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7 last year.
Inside the hospital, Israeli forces also found weapons, funds, and intelligence documents, the statement said.
It alleged that "throughout the war, Hamas terrorists have repeatedly operated from inside hospitals across the Gaza Strip, using them to hold hostages, execute terror attacks, and store weapons and explosives."
Meanwhile, Hussam Abu Safiya, director of Kamal Adwan Hospital, on social media platform X urged the protection of the hospital and its patients and staff from further Israeli attacks, describing the situation as "extremely catastrophic."
The director said his son was killed and 31 hospital staffers were either taken or arrested, calling for the opening of a humanitarian corridor to bring in medical teams to provide critical care to the wounded. ■
