1411-2023 (JERUSALEM) The Israeli military has released video footage and photographs on Monday (Nov 13), alleging that weapons were stored by Hamas in the basement of a children’s hospital in Gaza, where hostages were also reportedly held.
According to Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, a military spokesperson, troops discovered a command center in the basement of Rantissi Hospital, a pediatric facility specializing in cancer treatment. The command center was said to contain an arsenal of weapons, including grenades, suicide vests, and other explosives, believed to be stored by Hamas fighters.
Hagari stated during a televised briefing, “We also found signs that indicate that Hamas held hostages here. This is currently under our investigation. But we also have intelligence that verifies it.”
The military spokesperson presented footage revealing what appeared to be basic living quarters, including a small kitchen, as well as a nearby tunnel entrance that allegedly led to the house of a senior Hamas naval commander.
He further claimed, “Hamas took all this area under its control and conducted its war against Israelis from this hospital.”
Additionally, Israeli troops reportedly discovered a motorcycle with gunshot marks, which they believe was used to transport hostages to Gaza after the surprise attack on Oct 7. During the attack, Hamas gunmen infiltrated southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the capture of around 240 hostages, as reported by Israeli authorities.
In response to the attack, Israel launched a vigorous bombardment of the Gaza Strip, followed by a ground operation that involved pushing deep into the enclave. Palestinian health officials have reported that more than 11,000 people have been killed in Gaza.
On Monday, Israeli tanks were positioned outside the gates of Al Shifa hospital, the main healthcare facility in Gaza, where hundreds of patients were still awaiting evacuation.
Throughout the invasion, Israel has accused Hamas of using hospitals and other civilian infrastructure as hideouts for command centers and weapon storage, as well as employing civilians and hospital patients as human shields.
Hamas and hospital authorities in Gaza have denied these allegations. There has been no immediate response from Hamas regarding the latest claims made by Israel.
The United Nations has called for an end to attacks on healthcare facilities in Gaza, while Israel maintains that it is facilitating the evacuation of patients and civilians.
EXCLUSIVE RAW FOOTAGE: Watch IDF Spokesperson RAdm. Daniel Hagari walk through one of Hamas’ subterranean terrorist tunnels—only to exit in Gaza’s Rantisi hospital on the other side.
Inside these tunnels, Hamas terrorists hide, operate and hold Israeli hostages against their… pic.twitter.com/Nx4lVrvSXH
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) November 13, 2023
