Hamas Turns Hospital into Terror Haven
The al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City has earned a new title: the Terror Sanctuary! This renaming is not a mere nickname, but a reflection of Hamas's tactics that have long been recognized.
Hospital as a Shield
Hamas's strategy involves using sensitive structures like hospitals, schools, and kindergartens as shields for their operations. They rely on the Israeli military's consideration for civilians, hoping it will refrain from attacking them, allowing them to continue their nefarious activities undisturbed.
Hostages in the Hospital
Recent revelations presented by the Israeli military reveal the extent of Hamas's grip over the al-Shifa Hospital. On October 7, footage from the hospital's surveillance cameras showed at least two hostages being taken to the clinic. These hostages were reportedly a Nepalese and a Thai citizen, according to Israeli sources. The Israeli army's statement stated, "These findings prove that the Hamas terrorist organization used the al-Shifa hospital complex as a terrorist infrastructure on the day of the massacre."
The Video Evidence
The video released by the army showed one of the hostages being pushed into a room on a hospital bed, visibly injured. The second hostage was dragged through the hospital's corridors by several armed men.
International Criticism Rebooted
These revelations put a different spin on the international criticism of Israel's actions. Time and again, the suffering of Palestinians, including children, was used as a pretext to condemn Israel's actions. However, it has now been proven that even doctors and hospital staff concealed the presence of foreign hostages from the world.
Hostages in Hamas's Clutches
During the attacks on Israel, Hamas abducted around 240 hostages in the Gaza Strip. As many as 25 Thai citizens and five Nepalese were among those kidnapped. In total, citizens from 26 countries found themselves in Hamas's grip, including Germany.
Bodies Recovered
A few days ago, the Israeli army recovered the bodies of two Israeli hostages in the Gaza Strip. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Thailand confirmed that 25 Thai citizens were kidnapped during the attacks.
Hagari's Claims
Israeli military spokesman Daniel Hagari revealed that the soldier was not killed in an Israeli attack, contrary to Hamas's claims. Intelligence information proved that she was "murdered inside the hospital by a Hamas terrorist."
Enrichment Insights
- The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) has released videos of interrogations of detained Palestinians, which allegedly show Hamas militants using al-Shifa Hospital for military purposes. These videos reportedly reveal that Hamas was using the hospital to store explosives, weapons, and other materials.
- Israel has accused Hamas of maintaining a sprawling command post inside and under al-Shifa Hospital. The IDF claims to have found a 55-meter tunnel about 10 meters under the hospital's complex, which included a staircase, a blast-proof door, and a firing hole that could be used by snipers.
- Detainees allegedly claimed that Hamas uses ambulances to transport weapons and operatives across the Gaza Strip. This suggests a broader utilization of medical facilities for military operations.
- Hamas and hospital staff have denied the allegations of a command post under al-Shifa Hospital. Critics describe the hospital as a symbol of what they call Israel's reckless endangerment of civilians, highlighting the severe humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
- The hospital has been severely impacted by the conflict, with power cuts and supply shortages affecting patients. Despite these challenges, medical teams have continued to provide urgent care to patients, including 31 premature babies who were evacuated to Egypt.
- Doctors Danny Epstein and Daniel King published a response in The Lancet refuting accusations that Israel deliberately targeted hospitals in Gaza. They criticized the use of Gaza's hospitals by Hamas as shields for terrorists and cited evidence of involvement by some members of health organizations in serious acts, including hostage-taking and harboring of terrorists.
These insights provide a more comprehensive understanding of the allegations surrounding Hamas's use of al-Shifa Hospital for terrorist activities and the kidnapping of foreign hostages, including Nepalese and Thai citizens. However, it is essential to note that these allegations have not been independently verified by all parties involved.
