United States Intelligence Finds Hamas Bases in Gaza Hospitals
Scenes of the War Play Out Among Civilian Spaces
Overt Operator
November 15, 2023
The U.S. Department of Defense confirmed on Tuesday that it has intelligence suggesting that Hamas, the Palestinian militant group, is using hospitals in Gaza to conceal and support military operations and hold hostages, a statement Hamas has denied.
At the time of this report, Israel was conducting raids on the al-Shifa hospital in the region as part of its ongoing efforts to route Hamas militants away from civilian safe spaces.
This confirmation that Hamas uses hospitals as bases comes after Israel Defense Forces spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari shared a video showing a tunnel leading from the house of a senior terrorist to a bulletproof and explosive-proof door, indicating a connection to the Rantisi hospital.
During a briefing on Tuesday, Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh stated that hospitals should be places for medical treatment and should be protected. She revealed that the Pentagon has information suggesting that Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad use hospitals in the Gaza Strip, including the al-Shifa hospital, as a way to conceal and support their military operations. Singh also mentioned the existence of tunnels underneath these hospitals.
Singh further disclosed that Hamas operates a command control node from the al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City. They store weapons at the hospital and are prepared to respond to Israeli military operations against the facility. However, Singh emphasized that the intelligence community does not want to see a firefight in a hospital where innocent civilians may be present.
While the Pentagon confirmed the intelligence, they did not reveal the source of this information. It is unclear whether the U.S. received this intelligence independently or from a foreign ally. The Pentagon's confirmation adds weight to Israel's claims about Hamas using hospitals as bases for their military activities.
The use of hospitals for military purposes raises concerns about the safety of innocent civilians seeking medical treatment. Hospitals are meant to be sanctuaries for those in need of care, and any military presence jeopardizes the neutrality and safety of these facilities.
This revelation also highlights the complexity of the conflict between Israel and Hamas. The presence of tunnels connecting hospitals to terrorist hideouts underscores the challenges faced by Israeli forces in targeting militant infrastructure without causing harm to civilians.
As the situation in Gaza continues to escalate, it is crucial for international observers and humanitarian organizations to closely monitor the use of hospitals and ensure that innocent lives are protected. The conflict between Israel and Hamas remains a complex and deeply entrenched issue, and finding a peaceful resolution will require the concerted efforts of all parties involved.