The conflict between Israel and Hamas reached a critical juncture on Friday as Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) encircled the Shifa hospital in Gaza City, believed to house a Hamas command center beneath it. An evacuation was ordered by the IDF.

The hospital was hit by an explosion as Israeli forces neared. Reports from The Wall Street Journal indicated between 50,000 and 60,000 people were sheltering in and around the hospital premises, including 2,500 patients.

The situation extends beyond Shifa, with Mustafa al-Kahlout, head of Al Nasr and Al Rantisi Pediatric hospitals in northern Gaza, reporting that they are surrounded by Israeli tanks. He appealed to the Red Cross for assistance in evacuating the hospitals.

Qatar’s Foreign Ministry expressed concern over what it perceived as Israel’s “clear intention” to carry out a new massacre in the Shifa hospital complex, urging immediate intervention from the international community.

As reported by the Times of Israel, the IDF notched significant progress in capturing key Hamas outposts in Gaza City, claiming the elimination of around 150 terror operatives.

Donald Trump commented on the current situation involving Israel, suggesting that Israel needs to improve its public relations efforts.

Saudi Arabia condemns Israeli actions: Adding to the international voices, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman openly condemned the Israeli military’s actions in Gaza. His statement, made at a summit with African leaders, marks a notable regional response to the conflict.

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Photo: Shutterstock: Smoke rises after Israeli air strikes on the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, October 10, 2023.