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The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) recently released a video showing a group of Hamas fighters surrendering in a Gaza Strip hospital. In a detailed statement, the IDF disclosed that over 70 members of the group, which Israel designates as a terrorist organization, had laid down their arms and were taken into custody by the Israeli military.
According to the IDF, the events unfolded in the area of the Kamal Adwan Hospital in northern Gaza. The 460th Brigade and the Shin Bet, Israel’s internal security service, were reportedly operating in the area when they encountered a large group of Hamas militants in a building. This encounter led to a confrontation between the IDF and Hamas, resulting in the neutralization of several terrorists and the surrender of many others.
The IDF’s account of the incident was corroborated by the photo and video evidence they published. In the media, Hamas fighters, some of them partially unclothed, were seen walking with their hands raised, subsequently laying down their weapons and ammunition in front of the Israeli soldiers.
The IDF’s account also detailed that the militants were then detained and taken for interrogation by the 504th Unit of the Israeli Intelligence Directorate and the Shin Bet. This event is part of a series of such surrenders, as more Hamas fighters are reportedly choosing to give up in the face of Israeli military pressure. This change in the field dynamics is seen as a result of the Israeli government’s public overtures and the country’s defense posturing.
יוצאים מבית החולים עם נשקים: לוחמי צה״ל מצוות קרב חטיבה 460 ולוחמי שב״כ עצרו עשרות פעילי טרור שיצאו מבית חולים ברצועת עזה ולקחו אותם להמשך חקירה של שב״כ ויחידה 504 באגף המודיעין>> pic.twitter.com/lS29A9b9hN
— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) December 14, 2023
In a related event, Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had recently called on Hamas to surrender. He made an open plea to the Palestinian fighters, urging them not to sacrifice their lives for the organization’s leadership. This message, along with the on-the-ground military pressure, seems to be making a significant difference in the course of the recent confrontations.
The series of surrenders by Hamas fighters is a new chapter in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with the Israeli state’s media and top officials actively disseminating the content. As the story continues to unfold, the world’s attention is drawn to the next set of events in this ever-evolving and long-standing issue.
