Israeli forces disguised as civilian women and medics stormed, a hospital on Tuesday in the occupied West Bank, killing three Palestinian in a dramatic raid that underscored how deadly violence has spilt into the territory from the war in Gaza.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meanwhile ruled out a military withdrawal from Gaza or the release of thousands of jailed fighters — Hamas’ main two demands for any cease-fire — casting doubt on the latest efforts to end a war that has destabilised the broader Middle East.
The Palestinian Health Ministry said Israeli forces opened fire inside the Ibn Sina Hospital in West Bank town of Jenin.
A hospital spokesperson said there was no exchange of fire, indicating it was a targeted killing.
Israel’s military said the militants were using the hospital as a hideout, without providing evidence.
It alleged that one of those targeted had transferred weapons and ammunition to others for a planned attack, purportedly inspired by Hamas’ Oct. 7 assault on southern Israel that triggered the war in Gaza.
Security camera footage from the hospital shows about a dozen undercover forces, most of them armed, wearing Muslim headscarves, hospital scrubs or white doctor’s coats.
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One carried a rifle in one arm and a folded wheelchair in the other.
Netanyahu, speaking at an event elsewhere in the West Bank, denied reports of a possible cease-fire deal to end the war in Gaza.
He repeated his vow to keep fighting until “absolute victory” over Hamas.
“We will not end this war without achieving all of our goals,” said Netanyahu.
He is under mounting pressure from families of the hostages and the wider public to reach a deal.
“We will not withdraw Israeli military from Gaza Strip and we will not release thousands of terrorists,” he said. (AP News)
