JERUSALEM. Israeli military officials have accused Hamas of using the main hospital in Gaza as a cover for its tunnels and operational centers. Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, Israel’s chief military spokesman, stated during a news conference, “Hamas has turned hospitals into command and control centers and hideouts for Hamas terrorists and commanders.”
He presented photographs, diagrams, and audio recordings as evidence of Hamas utilizing the hospital system, specifically Al Shifa Hospital, to conceal various command posts and entry points into Gaza’s extensive tunnel network. Hagari added, “Hamas terrorists operate inside and under Shifa hospital and other hospitals in Gaza.”
In response to these allegations, Hamas official Ezzat El-Reshiq, a member of the movement’s political bureau, stated on Telegram, “There is no basis in truth to what was reported by the enemy army spokesman,” accusing Israel of spreading lies as “a prelude to committing a new massacre against our people.”
These accusations come as Israeli forces have gathered outside Gaza and conducted raids in preparation for an expected ground offensive following a deadly Hamas attack on Israel, which claimed the lives of approximately 1,400 people. Israeli airstrikes and artillery fire have caused extensive destruction in the enclave, resulting in over 7,000 casualties, according to figures from the Gaza health ministry.
It’s important to note that the veracity of Hagari’s statements cannot be independently confirmed. The Israeli military has previously accused Hamas of establishing leadership and operational centers in residential areas, as well as in proximity to schools or hospitals.
Meanwhile, U.N. officials have called for a pause in the fighting to allow humanitarian aid into the enclave, where more than 1 million people have been displaced. They have also warned that they may have to suspend operations if fuel supplies are not delivered.
Israeli officials have alleged that Hamas is utilizing fuel reserves stored in hospitals for its own terrorist infrastructure. Hagari remarked, “There is fuel in hospitals in Gaza, and Hamas is using it for its terrorist infrastructure.”
Reuters contributed to this story.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
