IDF delivers aid to Khan Younis hospital, captures 20 Hamas terrorists hiding inside

The IDF announced it conducted a targeted operation on Sunday night at Al Amal Hospital in western Khan Younis, capturing 20 terrorists without firing a shot or disrupting hospital operations. 

A team of IDF special ops units, including fighters from Givati Brigade, Shayetet 13 and others, acted on intelligence from Shin Bet and military intelligence, which led to the capture of 20 terrorists who were hiding inside the hospital. 

The captured terrorists, including members of Hamas, were taken for interrogation by Israeli security forces. 

The operation was conducted in close coordination with the hospital staff beforehand, allowing Israeli forces to search the hospital precisely and selectively, without firing a shot or harming patients or medical staff. 

Following the operation, the IDF coordinated the arrival of dozens of oxygen cylinders donated by international organizations to be used by the hospital's patients. 

The delivery was carried out by the IDF due to the region being an active combat zone. 

The @IDF recently facilitated the delivery of over 20 oxygen tanks and additional medical equipment to Al Amal Hospital in Khan Yunis, coordinated by COGAT officers the hospital and international aid organizations. pic.twitter.com/8G5ms7MWrk

— COGAT (@cogatonline) February 10, 2024

The soldiers were briefed in advance about the importance of preventing harm to patients, medical teams and civilians, and without damage to medical equipment, in accordance with international law. 

The IDF spokesman stated: “This activity once again proves the cynical pattern of operation of the terrorist organization Hamas, which uses hospitals and a population as a disguise for the purposes of hiding terrorists.” 

Israel had previously stated that Al Amal Hospital was being used as an operational hideout for terrorists. 

Sunday's operation was part of intense fighting in western Khan Younis and increased ground activities over the last few days as the IDF attempts to exert operational control over the former Hamas stronghold.  

Israel Defense Forces also announced that hundreds of terrorists have been eliminated and that hundreds of terrorists who were trying to escape by hiding in the general population have been arrested in recent weeks. 

The IDF is attempting to achieve operational control in Khan Younis before moving into Rafah, the last Hamas stronghold, in the southern part of the Gaza Strip, near the Egyptian border.

According to Egyptian sources, the invasion of Rafah could happen within two weeks if no breakthrough in hostage negotiations takes place.