Concerns Israeli army is staging scene at Al-Shifa, rights group says

Euro-Med Monitor said that it is concerned that the Israeli army is "staging a scene" during their raid on the al-Shifa Hospital.

The rights monitor said that the Israeli army’s prevention of any health officials, media, international parties, or organisations from entering the al-Shifa Hospital during the storming will “raise concerns and doubts over any narrative that will be issued later”.

The statement, published early on Wednesday, also said that the monitor is concerned over the “sporadic gunfire heard inside the al-Shifa Hospital since it was stormed.

“The only gunfire heard was that coming from Israeli forces,” it added. 

The statement continued: “Allegations about the use of al-Shifa for military purposes would not require such a long time of raiding to uncover them. The length of time of the army inside the hospital raises concerns that the stage is being set for a pre-planned and artificial spectacle.”

Euro-Med Monitor called on Israeli forces to leave the hospital immediately and fulfil their obligations under international law regarding war and conflict, which does not allow the restriction of health workers.