Israel said Monday its soldiers killed at least 21 Hamas militants who launched an attack from inside a hospital in Gaza City.
The Israel Defense Forces said their troops were conducting operations near Al Quds Hospital when they were engaged by small arms fire and rocket-propelled grenades.
IDF officials said the attack was carried out by a terrorist squad that had embedded itself within a group of civilians at the entrance of the hospital.
“The soldiers identified a terrorist squad with two RGP launchers amongst the civilians. As a result of the shooting carried out by the terrorists, a tank was damaged,” the IDF said in a statement.
The IDF said armed Hamas militants joined a group of civilians fleeing the hospital and continued firing at the Israeli troops.
“After the terrorists fired RPGs, they returned to hide in the hospital,” the IDF said.
Other Israeli forces moved into the area and joined the fight that eventually resulted in the Hamas militants being routed at the hospital. The IDF said there were no Israeli casualties in the battle.
The IDF is continuing its ground invasion of Gaza that began Oct. 27 with the stated mission of destroying Hamas and ending its rule over the Gaza Strip.
Israel launched its war against the terror group following its Oct. 7 attack that resulted in the deaths of at least 1,400 people and hundreds of others being taken hostage.
• Mike Glenn can be reached at mglenn@washingtontimes.com.
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