Israel is targeting a Gaza hospital as lawmakers extend the state of emergency

The Israeli army on Tuesday reportedly ordered the evacuation of a hospital in the northern Gaza Strip, as Israel’s parliament voted to extend the country’s state of emergency for another year.

The Palestinian news agency WAFA reported that patients had to be evacuated from the Indonesian hospital in Beit Lahia and that Israeli forces had besieged the facility.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it “conducted and completed a limited operation against terrorists and infrastructure in the area of ​​the Indonesian Hospital.”

It said the operation was based on “specific intelligence about the location of the terrorists” and followed “an attack by IDF forces on the hospital area, including an anti-tank missile attack.”

“Terrorists also planted explosives and booby traps in the area around the hospital facility,” the IDF statement said.

The information could not be independently verified at first.

Since the war in Gaza began 14 months ago, there have been repeated battles in hospitals and in areas around the coast. According to the United Nations, hospitals have been the target of major attacks.

Israel accuses the Islamic terrorist organization Hamas of using hospitals and other public facilities as command bases or weapons stores.

The state of emergency has been extended

Also on Tuesday, Israel’s parliament voted to extend the country’s state of emergency for another year.

The measure will now take effect until December 25, 2025, local media reported, after 29 out of 120 lawmakers voted in favor of the proposal. Seven voted against while others were absent or did not vote.

A state of emergency allows the government to issue emergency decisions.

Hamas terrorists and other Palestinian extremists started the war in Gaza by crossing into Israel and attacking Israeli communities on October 7, 2023. More than 1,200 people were killed and about 250 others were captured in Gaza.

Israel then declared a state of emergency, which was later extended.

Netanyahu’s Christmas message

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also spoke to Christians around the world about the Christmas message.

“At a time when Israel is fighting on seven fronts, we are very grateful for the support of our Christian friends around the world,” Netanyahu said in a statement issued by his office on Tuesday.

“We want peace with all those who want peace with us, but we will do whatever it takes to protect the only Jewish state,” he said.

“Israel leads the whole world in the fight against the forces of evil and tyranny, but our battle is not over. With your support, and with God’s help, I assure you, we will win. From Jerusalem, the city of peace, I wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”