Israeli forces said they found a laptop in Al-Shifa hospital containing pictures and videos of hostages after they were kidnapped by Hamas in Gaza.
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) told the BBC 's Lucy Williamson, one of the first two foreign journalists admitted to Al-Shifa hospital in the Gaza Strip, that among the items seized by the military was a laptop containing data on hostages held by Hamas.
"They said the photos and videos on the laptop were taken recently, showing that this facility could have been a Hamas base of operations a few days ago," said reporter Williamson.
Photos of some hostages kidnapped by Hamas are posted on a wall in Tel Aviv, Israel on October 18. Photo: CNN
Israeli officials previously said Hamas had taken more than 240 hostages after the October 7 attack. Most of them were Israeli citizens, some of them dual nationals and citizens of the United States, Germany and several other countries. In addition, about 35 of those taken hostage were foreign nationals working in Israel, mostly Thai.
The laptop also contained videos recently shared by Israeli police of their interrogations of Hamas militants captured after the October 7 raid. However, reporters were not given direct access to the data on the laptop.
Williamson said the IDF reported discovering more than a dozen AK-style rifles, grenades, bulletproof vests and some insignia of the Hamas military wing in the MRI room of Al-Shifa Hospital. "Some of the military equipment was hidden under bags of medical supplies," the reporter said.
IDF Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus said there were indications that several Hamas gunmen had been in the hospital for "the past few days".
"This is just the tip of the iceberg. Hamas is no longer here because they knew we were coming. This is probably what they were forced to leave behind. We think there is more here," he said.
Weapons and equipment seized by Israel at Al-Shifa hospital on November 15. Video: IDF
Israeli soldiers launched a precision strike on the Al-Shifa hospital, which they consider the “beating heart” of Hamas, on November 15. The Israeli soldiers later withdrew from the hospital and returned to their positions around the medical facility.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on the same day that Israel will search every corner of the Gaza Strip to find and eliminate hiding places of Hamas gunmen.
Thanh Tam (According to Times of Israel )
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