No order given to evacuate patients, medical staff from Al-Shifa Hospital: IDF

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has denied giving orders for the immediate evacuation of Gaza's Al-Shifa Hospital, saying that it only responded to the medical facility's director's request to provide a safe passage for those who wish to leave."This morning, the IDF acceded to the request of the director of Shifa Hospital to enable additional Gazans who were in the hospital, and would like to evacuate, to do so via the secure route," IDF's Arabic language spokesperson Avichay Adraee said in a statement. Earlier today, reports suggested that Israeli troops have ordered the evacuation of doctors, patients and displaced people from Gaza’s Al-Shifa Hospital “in the next hour.”"We confirm that the IDF did not request the evacuation of patients or medical staff, but rather confirmed that if a request is received to coordinate a medical transfer, the IDF will work to allow this and transfer the patients to other hospitals," Adraee added. He added that medical personnel will continue to remain inside the hospital to serve those who do not wish to leave the premises.Al-Shifa Hospital — Gaza’s biggest healthcare facility– has become the focus of the Israel-Hamas war with the Israeli troops raiding the institution to find and destroy Hamas hideouts.Israel claims Hamas operates a base underneath Al-Shifa, a charge the militants deny.Meanwhile, an AFP report suggests that hundreds of people fled on foot on Saturday.As per estimates by the United Nations, Al-Shifa Hospital shelters 2,300 patients, staff and displaced Palestinians.Israel has made repeated calls for the hospital to be evacuated to the south, however, medical professionals say the patients cannot be moved.With inputs from agencies