The United States urged Israel on Monday to safeguard innocent people in hospitals, medical personnel, and patients as Israeli soldiers stormed one hospital and placed another under siege as they moved far into western Khan Younis, Gaza, news agency Reuters reported. Residents reported that the bombing from air, land, and sea was the most intensive in southern Gaza since the conflict began in October.
Troops made their initial move into the Al-Mawasi region along the Mediterranean shore, west of Khan Younis, the largest city in southern Gaza. They raided Al-Khair Hospital and seized medical personnel, Gaza Health Ministry spokesperson Ashraf al Qidra told Reuters.
There was no news from Israel on the situation at the hospital, and the military spokesperson's office did not respond, Reuters reported. The military later confirmed that three Israeli troops were killed on Monday in southern Gaza.
According to Qidra, at least 50 people were murdered in Khan Younis on Sunday night, and the sieges at medical institutions prevented rescuers from reaching dozens of dead and wounded.
On Monday, White House National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby stated that Israel has the right to defend itself, but that they must do so in line with international law and safeguard innocent people in hospitals, medical personnel, and patients to the greatest extent feasible.
Israel claims Hamas fighters operate in and around hospitals, which Hamas and medical personnel reject.
Israel started an effort last week to seize Khan Younis, which it now claims is the primary headquarters of Hamas terrorists responsible for the Oct. 7 attacks on southern Israel, which killed 1,200 people, according to Israeli figures.
Israel has threatened to destroy Hamas, the Palestinian Islamist movement that governs Gaza and is sworn to Israel's annihilation.
Since October 7, at least 25,295 Gazans have died, according to Gaza health authorities in a report released on Monday.
International concern has grown over the number of Palestinians killed as a result of Israel's assault on the densely populated enclave, as well as the humanitarian catastrophe that has affected hundreds of thousands of people.
The United States has encouraged Israel to limit civilian casualties in Gaza, to halt violence by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, and to remain optimistic about a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
During a meeting with European Union peers in Brussels on Monday, Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz chose to show them aspirational images of future infrastructure projects rather than address the two-state solution.