Israel accuses Hamas forces of hiding under Gaza's largest hospital

An ambulance is parked outside the entrance to the emergency room of Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City on October 15 (Photo: AFP).

"Hamas has turned hospitals into command centers and hideouts for terrorists and Hamas commanders," Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, an Israeli military spokesman, told a news conference.

Mr. Hagari then produced photos, diagrams and audio recordings that he said showed Hamas was using the hospital system and Al Shifa Hospital in particular to conceal multiple command posts and entrances to a vast network of tunnels across Gaza.

"Hamas terrorists operate inside and below Shifa hospital and other hospitals in Gaza," he said.

In response to the accusation, Ezzat El-Reshiq, a member of the Hamas Political Bureau, said on Telegram: "What the enemy's military spokesman said is baseless."

Mr El-Reshiq then accused Israel of spreading lies as a "prelude to a new campaign to massacre our people".

The comments came as Israeli forces massed outside Gaza and raided the area in preparation for a ground offensive.

The conflict erupted after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel that killed about 1,400 people. Israeli jets and artillery bombarded the Gaza Strip, killing more than 7,000 people, according to Gaza's Ministry of Health .

Hagari's allegations have not been verified. The Israeli military frequently accuses Hamas of setting up command centers in residential areas or around schools and hospitals.

UN officials have called for a pause in fighting to allow aid into the Gaza Strip, warning they may have to shut down operations without new fuel shipments.

Israel recently allowed humanitarian aid into Gaza through the territory's border with Egypt but has kept a ban on fuel due to concerns that Hamas could use it for military purposes.

“There is fuel in hospitals in Gaza and Hamas is using it for its terrorist infrastructure,” Mr. Hagari said.

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/the-gioi/israel-cao-buoc-luc-luong-hamas-tron-duoi-benh-vien-lon-nhat-gaza-20231028110346571.htm