The Israeli military said on Sunday it had killed 20 Palestinian militants during an operation at a hospital in the northern Gaza Strip that it said was being used as a Hamas “command center”.

As a result of this operation, which began on Friday morning, the Camal Antoine hospital was put “out of order”, the last major nursing facility which was still operating in the northern part of the Palestinian enclave.

“Around 20 terrorists were killed during the operation and powerful explosive devices planted by the terrorists were defused” the military said.

On Saturday, after the operation was over, the army announced that they had been arrested “more than 240 Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorists”including the director of the hospital, Dr. Hossam Abu Shafiya.

Those arrested (photo) will be taken to Israel for questioning as it is believed that “they could be able to provide valuable information”. When asked by AFP whether Camal’s manager Antoine would also be transferred, the army had no comment.