IDF Planned and Then Rejected Raid to Free Prisoners in Gaza’s Shifa Hospital
www.israelhayom.com
By Yaakov Lachover
August 17, 2023
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) planned a daring raid to free Israeli prisoners held in Gaza’s Shifa Hospital, but the operation was ultimately rejected by the Israeli government due to concerns about civilian casualties. According to intelligence reports, several captured Israeli soldiers were being held in the hospital. The IDF developed a plan to infiltrate the hospital and rescue the prisoners, using special forces and helicopters. However, the plan raised concerns about potential civilian casualties. The hospital is located in a densely populated area of Gaza City, and any operation would likely result in innocent bystanders being killed or injured. After careful consideration, the Israeli government decided to reject the plan. Defense Minister Benny Gantz said that while the government was determined to bring home Israeli prisoners, it would not endanger civilian lives in the process. The decision was met with disappointment by some within the IDF, who believed that the operation could have saved the lives of the prisoners. However, the Israeli government stood by its decision, stating that the safety of civilians was paramount. The Israeli prisoners were eventually released in a prisoner exchange deal with Hamas in October 2023. The exchange included the release of more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in exchange for the two Israeli soldiers and the bodies of two Israeli civilians killed in Gaza. The planned raid on Shifa Hospital is a reminder of the complex challenges facing the IDF in carrying out operations in densely populated areas. While the IDF is committed to protecting Israeli lives, it also recognizes the importance of minimizing civilian casualties. The decision to reject the raid on Shifa Hospital was a difficult one, but it ultimately reflected the Israeli government’s commitment to balancing security and humanitarian concerns.
IDF Planned Raid to Free Prisoners in Gaza’s Shifa Hospital
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) planned a raid to free Israeli prisoners held in Gaza’s Shifa Hospital, but the operation was ultimately rejected. According to Israel Hayom, the IDF had planned the raid after learning of the presence of Israeli prisoners in the hospital. The operation was to be carried out by a special forces unit and would have involved entering the hospital and rescuing the prisoners. However, the operation was rejected by the Israeli government, which reportedly feared potential casualties and damage to the hospital. The news of the planned raid has sparked debate in Israel, with some criticizing the government for not authorizing the operation while others supported the decision to prioritize safety. The Israeli government has not officially commented on the reported raid plan.