It’s afternoon in Israel and Gaza. Here’s what you need to know on Thursday
From CNN staff
The Israel Defense Forces said its troops are still inside Al-Shifa Hospital and have found “military equipment used by Hamas” during a raid that began early Wednesday morning at the complex in Gaza City, while Hamas has claimed that Israel is fabricating the evidence presented.
Israel is under growing international pressure to uncover proof of Hamas operating from tunnels beneath the hospital — a claim denied by the militant group and hospital officials.
CNN cannot verify either side’s claims.
Here are some of the latest developments:
- Hospital raid: An Israeli raid of Gaza’s largest hospital, Al-Shifa, on Wednesday sparked intense fighting, according to a reporter inside. The director general of Gaza hospitals said the Israeli military entered the ground floor and basement of the surgery building during the raid. Israel says its soldiers have uncovered what the army is calling “military equipment used by Hamas” during the raid; the Hamas-run government media office has accused Israel of lying about the evidence it uncovered.
- War crime accusation: US President Joe Biden accused Hamas of committing a “war crime” for operating what the US and Israel have claimed is a command node under the Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza. CNN cannot verify either side’s claims. Conditions at Al-Shifa, which has run out of fuel and is no longer considered operational, have deteriorated rapidly in recent days, with doctors warning of a “catastrophic” situation for patients, staff and displaced people still inside.
