Israel-Hamas war live updates: Mossad chief arrives in Doha to resume cease-fire talks
NBCMar 23
Israel Raids Gaza City's al-Shifa Hospital
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Image copyright: Ahmad Hasaballah/Stringer/Getty Images News via Getty Images
The Facts
Israeli forces launched a raid into Gaza City's al-Shifa Hospital in an overnight raid Monday morning, saying that senior Hamas militants "regrouped" inside the hospital. Eyewitnesses reported heavy tank and gunfire, with one saying the situation was catastrophic.
Al-Jazeera reported that Israeli forces arrested and physically assaulted one of its Arabic correspondents working in the Gaza Strip, Ismail al-Ghoul, during the raid. Witnesses also reported that Israeli forces destroyed the broadcasting vehicles of news crews at al-Shifa.
The Spin
Pro-Palestine narrative
Israel is purposefully creating a famine in Gaza at a rate unprecedented in the post-WWII era. Israeli forces have been blocking food, water, and other necessities from entering Gaza since the war began, and have intensified those efforts to facilitate a horrific and dehumanizing situation for Palestinians, with people being forced to drink contaminated water and eat whatever they can find, including grass and moldy potatoes. This level of cruelty is simply unfathomable, and Israel must be held accountable for these atrocious crimes.
Pro-establishment narrative
Israel must be able to defend itself from terrorist attacks from Gaza or elsewhere, and the US is committed to preventing malicious actors from threatening Israel's legitimate concerns. However, the Biden admin. is losing its patience with Netanyahu's intransigence. The humanitarian situation in Gaza is rapidly getting out of hand, and the situation must be remedied. The Biden admin. is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of Palestinian civilians and is now taking its own steps to alleviate this dreadful situation.
Pro-Israel narrative
Israel will always be thankful for the US' steadfast support, but the Biden admin. needs to refrain from tying Israel's hands behind its back. Hamas is simply not interested in negotiating in good faith and has consistently shown its preference for violence. In contrast, Israel has done everything it can to ensure the safety of civilians in a war it did not want, even going so far as to put its own soldiers at risk just to preserve this principle. Israel will pursue its goals, which are incredibly popular with its citizens, regardless of whether it annoys Washington or anyone else.
