The Israeli military on Tuesday reportedly ordered the evacuation of a hospital in the contested northern Gaza Strip, as the Israeli parliament voted to extend the state of emergency in the country for another year.
Palestinian news agency WAFA reported that patients had to leave the Indonesian Hospital in Beit Lahia and that Israeli forces were besieging the facility.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said they had “conducted and completed a limited operation against terrorist operatives and infrastructure in the area of the Indonesian Hospital.”
It said the operation was based on “precise intelligence regarding the location of terrorists” and followed “attacks against IDF troops from the area of the hospital, including anti-tank missile attacks.”
“Terrorists also planted explosive devices and booby traps in the area surrounding the hospital’s compound,” the IDF statement said.
The information could not initially be independently verified.
Since the beginning of the Gaza war 14 months ago, there have been repeated skirmishes in and around hospitals in the coastal strip. According to the United Nations, hospitals have repeatedly been the target of massive attacks.
Israel accuses the Islamist terrorist organization Hamas of using hospitals and other civilian facilities as command bases or weapons stores.
State of emergency extended
Also on Tuesday, the Israeli parliament voted to extend the state of emergency in the country for another year.
The measure will now be in effect until December 25, 2025, local media reported, after 29 of 120 lawmakers voted in favour of the proposal. Seven voted against while the rest were absent or abstained.
The state of emergency enables the government to issue emergency decrees.
Hamas militants and other Palestinian extremists triggered the Gaza war by crossing into Israel and attacking Israeli communities on October 7, 2023. More than 1,200 people were killed and around 250 others were taken hostage to Gaza.
Israel subsequently declared a state of emergency, which was later extended.
Netanyahu’s Christmas message
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also addressed Christians around the world in a Christmas message.
“At a time when Israel is fighting on seven fronts, we deeply appreciate the steadfast support of our Christian friends around the world,” Netanyahu said in a statement released by his office on Tuesday
“We seek peace with all those who wish peace with us, but we will do whatever is necessary to defend the one and only Jewish state,” he said.
“Israel leads the world in fighting the forces of evil and tyranny, but our battle is not yet over. With your support, and with God’s help, I assure you, we shall prevail. From Jerusalem, city of peace, I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”