The Israeli army surrounds the Al-Shifa Medical Complex west of Gaza City amid heavy gunfire

Palestinian media reported at dawn on Monday that Israeli army forces advanced towards the Shifa Medical Complex west of Gaza City and imposed a siege on it amid heavy gunfire in its vicinity.

According to Palestinian sources, the vicinity of the Shifa complex is witnessing violent clashes between Palestinian fighters and Israeli special forces, amid artillery and air shelling and non-stop exchanges of fire.

Palestinian activists and media reported that Israeli tanks were advancing towards the Shifa complex amid very violent clashes.

The Israeli army said in a statement: “Our forces are currently conducting a precise operation in the Al-Shifa Hospital area. The operation is based on intelligence information indicating that the hospital is being used by senior Hamas terrorists to carry out and promote terrorist activity.”

The statement added: “Before the operation, IDF soldiers were instructed on the importance of acting with caution, as well as on the measures that must be taken to avoid harming patients, civilians, medical staff and medical equipment. In addition, Arabic speakers were brought to the area to facilitate dialogue with patients.” "Those remaining in the hospital. There is no obligation on patients and medical staff to evacuate."

The statement continued: "Furthermore, IDF forces will continue their humanitarian efforts in the area, throughout the operation and after its end, and will provide food, water and medical supplies to patients and civilians in the hospital complex."

“The IDF will continue to operate in accordance with international law and against the Hamas terrorist organization - which operates from hospitals and civilian infrastructure in a systematic and cynical manner, without distinguishing between the civilian population and the organization’s terrorists,” the army concluded.