16-11-2023 (JERUSALEM) Israeli military forces have uncovered a command center, weapons, and combat gear belonging to Palestinian Hamas militants in Gaza’s largest hospital, Al Shifa, according to an announcement by Israel’s military. The discovery of the Hamas operations hub within the hospital compound has raised concerns globally about the safety of civilians in the area.
The incursion by Israeli forces into Gaza City focused primarily on targeting the heart of Hamas fighters’ operations, which they claim was located in tunnels beneath Al Shifa hospital. Hamas, however, has denied these allegations and dismissed the Israeli statements as “lies and cheap propaganda.”
Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, a spokesperson for the Israeli military, stated that the search operation in the hospital is still ongoing after troops entered the premises early on Wednesday following days of clashes in the vicinity.
Accompanying the announcement, the military released a video showcasing some of the materials recovered from an undisclosed building within the hospital compound. The seized items included automatic weapons, grenades, ammunition, and flak jackets.
Watch as LTC (res.) Jonathan Conricus exposes the countless Hamas weapons IDF troops have uncovered in the Shifa Hospital’s MRI building: pic.twitter.com/5qssP8z1XQ
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) November 15, 2023
The Israeli military statement explained that in one department of the hospital, “the soldiers located an operational command center and technological assets belonging to Hamas, indicating that the terrorist organization uses the hospital for terrorist purposes.”
Israel has consistently claimed that the hospital sits above a Hamas headquarters, a stance supported by the United States based on its own intelligence.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the entry of Israeli forces into the hospital, asserting that there is no place in Gaza that they cannot reach. He pledged to eliminate Hamas and secure the release of Israeli hostages, describing these as two sacred missions.
Israel initiated its campaign to dismantle the Islamist group ruling Gaza following a rampage by militants in southern Israel on October 7. The deadliest day in Israel’s history resulted in 1,200 deaths and approximately 240 captives. Since then, Israel has imposed a siege on Gaza, subjecting its population of 2.3 million to relentless air strikes. Gaza health officials, considered reliable by the United Nations, report that around 11,500 Palestinians have been confirmed killed, with approximately 40% of them being children. Many more remain buried under the rubble. As a result, Israel has ordered the evacuation of the entire northern half of Gaza, leaving around two-thirds of its residents homeless.
The situation inside the hospital remains tense. Israeli troops entered the hospital compound after an exchange of fire with militants outside. Witnesses within the compound described occasional moments of tension as the Israeli troops moved between buildings. While sporadic shooting was heard, there have been no reports of injuries within the hospital grounds.
The Israeli military released photographs showing a soldier standing next to cardboard boxes marked “medical supplies” and “baby food” inside Al Shifa, a location verified by Reuters. Other images depicted Israeli troops in tactical formation passing makeshift tents and mattresses.
International attention has been focused on the fate of hundreds of patients trapped inside the hospital without electricity to operate essential medical equipment, as well as the thousands of displaced civilians seeking shelter there. Gaza officials claim that many patients, including three newborn babies, have died in recent days while Israel surrounded the hospital.
The United Nations Security Council has called for urgent and extended humanitarian pauses in the fighting between Israel and Hamas, allowing access for humanitarian aid. The council also demanded the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas. Previous attempts to take action had faced an impasse, but this time the council overcame it.
Israel has thus far rejected calls for a ceasefire, arguing that it would benefit Hamas. The United States supports Israel’s position. However, negotiations mediated by Qatar have discussed a temporary halt in hostilities to secure the release of some hostages held by Hamas.
According to an official briefed on the negotiations, Qatari mediators are seeking a deal that includes a three-day truce, during which Hamas would release 50 of its captives and Israel would release certain women and minors held in its security detentions. While Hamas has reportedly agreed to the outlined proposal, Israel is still negotiating the terms.
The World Health Organization (WHO) expressed strong condemnation of the Israeli incursion into Al Shifa Hospital, stating that it is “totally unacceptable” for hospitals to become battlegrounds. Dr. Ahmed El Mohallalati, a surgeon at the hospital, reported that the staff had taken cover as fighting erupted around the hospital overnight. Sounds of continuous shooting from tanks could be heard in the background as he spoke.
Dr. Mohallalati shared that a large tank had entered the hospital through the main gate and parked in front of the emergency department. He mentioned that the Israeli administration had informed the hospital in advance of their plans to enter. As of mid-morning, he and other staff had not received instructions from the troops, although the soldiers were only meters away.
After enduring five days of repeated Israeli attacks on the hospital, Dr. Mohallalati expressed relief that troops were now inside the grounds instead of outside shooting in. He described it as reaching an “end point.”
