Hamas leaders are said to be hiding in Gaza City's Al-Shifa hospital. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Netanyahu confirms that the ground offensive in Rafah is approaching.

An Israeli tank in southern Gaza Photo: Ariel Schalit/ap

Al-Shifa hospital attacked in Gaza City

The Israeli military says it stormed Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City looking for senior Hamas leaders. The Army said Monday that soldiers would carry out a “precise” mission. They shot at them and they returned fire. The radical Islamic group Hamas said the Israeli army had bombed the hospital building without caring for patients, medical staff or refugees seeking protection there. According to health authorities in the Gaza Strip, a fire broke out and the smoke caused suffocation for women and children.

Al-Shifa Hospital is one of the few remaining operational medical facilities in the Gaza Strip. Israel has long accused Hamas of using hospitals as shelters. The Islamist group denies this. (rtr)

Netanyahu: There will be no offensive as long as civilians remain stagnant

According to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli army will not launch its announced offensive in Rafah, in the Gaza Strip, while civilians remain trapped there. Netanyahu stated this on Sunday after a meeting with Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD). The Israeli goal remains “to eliminate the remaining terrorist battalions in Rafah,” Netanyahu said. But Israel will not do this “as long as we keep the population in place.”

Netanyahu approved plans for an offensive on Rafah on Friday. Observers warn of the devastating consequences of such an attack for the civilian population. The United States also warns against a military operation in Rafah and insists on “credible” proposals from its ally Israel to protect civilians in the city. The Israeli leader made clear that he would maintain plans for a ground offensive in Rafah despite international criticism and warnings from his allies. “No international pressure will prevent us from achieving all the objectives of the war,” Netanyahu said at a cabinet meeting, according to a video released by his office. (afp)

In the future, Israel's national day of remembrance will be October 7.

The Israeli government has decided to create a national day of remembrance for the unprecedented attack by Hamas. Netanyahu's office said the cabinet had unanimously decided that the “catastrophe” that struck Israel on October 7 should be commemorated every year in the future. (afp)

UNICEF: 13,000 children killed in Gaza so far

According to the United Nations Children's Fund, more than 13,000 children have been killed so far in the Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip. Thousands more were injured. “In no other conflict in the world have we seen such a mortality rate among children,” UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell told US broadcaster CBS. (rtr)