Israel-Hamas: IDF continues Al-Shifa sweep as ‘next phase’ begins

Israel says the “next phase” of the war in Gaza has officially begun.

The announcement came from Israel’s defense minister after IDF forces took control of the western sector of Gaza City in addition to Gaza’s harbor, which Israel says is the site of a Hamas training facility. The IDF continues operations at Al-Shifa hospital, where Israeli troops have uncovered even more Hamas weapons.

Israel claims to have found a tunnel shaft at Al-Shifa as well the bodies of two Hamas hostages near the hospital. This would seem to confirm Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s belief that Hamas was keeping hostages at the hospital.

Hamas continues to reject allegations that they use the hospital for military purposes.