Jordan Ellis
Al-Shifa Hospital is a government-run hospital in Gaza City, Palestine, and the largest hospital in the Gaza strip. In November 2023, the Israeli army entered the hospital, claiming that Hamas was using a tunnel network under the hospital for military purposes. Israel released videos and photos of what it said was evidence of Hamas' presence, including a tunnel shaft and a room with two orange steel beams in the ceiling. However, critics say that the evidence does not support Israel's claims, and that the burden of proof should be high to justify raiding a hospital. Hamas and hospital staff have denied the allegations, and the head of the World Health Organization called the raid totally unacceptable.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Gaza City, Palestine |
| Type of hospital | Government-run |
| Alleged military use | Hamas militants' underground headquarters, command center, and storage for weapons and hostages |
| Evidence of tunnels | Videos, photos, and satellite images released by the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) |
| Independent verification | Limited due to lack of access to the site; some sources claim evidence is inconclusive or has been manipulated |
| Reactions and responses | Hamas and hospital administrators denied allegations; international organizations called for an independent investigation; criticism of Israel for potential violations of international law |
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What You'll Learn
Israel claims Hamas used tunnels for military purposes
During the Gaza war, Israel claimed that Hamas was using tunnels under Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, Palestine, as its "main operations base". Hamas and hospital administrators denied these claims. International law prohibits attacking hospitals unless there is evidence of military use that is "harmful to the enemy", as well as the use of human shields for combatants, both of which constitute war crimes.
Israel released videos and photos in November 2023, alleging to show Hamas tunnels and weapons underneath the hospital. The footage showed a winding staircase leading to a tunnel network, which Israel claimed was a gunhole. However, multiple news agencies and Amnesty International concluded that the evidence did not prove the existence of a Hamas command centre. The media's perception was mixed, acknowledging the existence of tunnels but questioning their purpose and Israel's inability to fully explore them due to booby traps.
The New York Times reviewed classified Israeli intelligence documents and reported that the tunnel was at least 700 feet long, extending beyond the hospital and likely connecting to Hamas's larger underground network. They also confirmed the existence of underground bunkers, living quarters, and a room wired for computers and communications equipment. Additionally, Israel claimed that Hamas had "sealed" parts of the tunnel before the army's entry and provided video evidence of a room with steel beams in the ceiling, which a doctor stated was to support the ceiling rather than part of the building's foundation.
Israel's claims about Hamas's activities at Al-Shifa Hospital highlight the ongoing conflict between the two groups and their differing portrayals of the situation. While Israel maintains that Hamas uses civilian infrastructure as a shield for militant activity, Hamas and hospital staff deny the presence of any militarisation or personal weapons within the hospital. These conflicting narratives impact how the conflict is perceived and the potential implications for international law and war crimes.
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Evidence of Hamas presence at Al-Shifa Hospital
Al-Shifa Hospital is a government-run hospital in Gaza City, Palestine. During the Gaza War, Israel and the United States claimed that Hamas was using the hospital as its "main operations base". These claims were denied by Hamas and hospital administrators.
In October 2023, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued a statement about Hamas activities at Al-Shifa Hospital, stating that the group was using the hospital to shield its underground headquarters. The IDF has since released photos and videos that it claims show evidence of Hamas's presence at the hospital. This includes footage of a tunnel shaft, which the IDF says is part of a Hamas tunnel network. The tunnel shaft contains a winding staircase that continues for 50 meters, ending in a blast door and what the IDF identifies as a gunhole. The IDF has also released photos of military equipment, including uniforms, guns, grenades, and a vest with a Hamas logo.
However, the media's perception of the evidence has been mixed. While some outlets have concluded that a network of tunnels exists beneath the hospital and that Hamas used the hospital to store hostages, they also found that Israel's evidence was insufficient to prove that the tunnels were a command and control center or that access points to the network existed within hospital wards. Amnesty International and the BBC have also questioned the evidence presented by the IDF, with Amnesty stating that they have "not seen any credible evidence to support Israel's claim that al-shifa is housing a military command center".
Classified Israeli intelligence documents reviewed by The New York Times indicate that the tunnel is at least 700 feet long and likely connects to Hamas's larger underground network. The Times also reported that Israeli soldiers found underground bunkers, living quarters, and a room wired for computers and communications equipment beyond the hospital.
In February 2024, The New York Times confirmed the existence of underground tunnels and cited classified Israeli intelligence material suggesting that Hamas did use the hospital as cover. However, critics of the Israeli military say that the evidence does not support its early claims and that Israel has distributed material before the raid that did not align with what was found.
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International law on hospitals as military targets
Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, Palestine, has been at the centre of controversy regarding the alleged use of its premises by Hamas for military purposes. Israel and the United States claimed that Hamas used tunnels under the hospital as its "main operations base". Hamas and hospital administrators denied these allegations.
International humanitarian law, which includes the Geneva Conventions and the Rome Statute, provide protections for hospitals during armed conflicts. Here are the key points regarding the legal status of hospitals as military targets:
Protections for Hospitals and Medical Personnel
International humanitarian law (IHL) and human rights laws explicitly prohibit attacks on hospitals and other medical establishments. These protections extend to the wounded and sick, medical staff, and means of transport. The Geneva Conventions state that even if a hospital is being used as a military target, doctors, patients, and civilians inside must be given warnings and a reasonable amount of time to evacuate safely.
Loss of Protective Status
A hospital can lose its protected status if it is used for military purposes that are "harmful to the enemy". This includes using the hospital as a base for launching attacks, an observation post, a weapons depot, or a shelter for able-bodied combatants. The burden of proving that a hospital has lost its protective status rests with those who carried out the attack.
Proportionality Requirements
Even if a hospital loses its protection and becomes a legitimate military target, the potential harm to civilians must be proportional to the military advantage gained. This proportionality test is stricter for medical facilities due to the potential loss of medical care for the civilian community.
Use of Human Shields
Both international humanitarian law and human rights laws prohibit the use of human shields in conflict. This includes using hospitals and their staff or patients as shields for military operations. Engaging in such acts can constitute war crimes.
Independent Investigations
In cases of alleged violations of international law, independent investigations are crucial. In the case of the Al-Shifa Hospital, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, called for an independent investigation to examine the claims made by Israel and Hamas.
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Allegations of Israeli propaganda
Al-Shifa Hospital, a government-run hospital in Gaza City, Palestine, has been at the centre of a conflict between Israel and Hamas. Israel has accused Hamas of using the hospital as a base for military operations, housing its main headquarters, and storing weapons. Israel has released videos and photos as evidence of Hamas' presence and activities in the hospital, including footage of a tunnel network underneath the hospital. Hamas and hospital administrators have denied these claims, stating that the hospital was not used for military purposes.
The allegations surrounding Al-Shifa Hospital have led to accusations of Israeli propaganda. Several media outlets and experts have described Israel's public relations campaign as propaganda, aimed at justifying its siege and takeover of the hospital. Israel has been accused of distributing questionable evidence, such as claiming an Arabic calendar was a Hamas shift schedule and presenting curtains as evidence of hostage videos. The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs tweeted a video of a nurse at Al-Shifa backing up their claims, which was widely mocked and deleted within a day. Jeremy Scahill, in an article for The Intercept, referred to Israel's animations of a Hamas command centre as propaganda, noting that Israel had assisted in the construction of tunnels and underground rooms at the hospital complex in the 1980s.
Muhammad Shehada, Chief of Programmes and Communications at the Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor, criticised the supervised tours of Al-Shifa that Israel imposed on media outlets, stating that the outlets essentially agreed to broadcast propaganda. He highlighted restrictions on speaking to Palestinians or Gazans, the staged tour route, and the requirement to review material with the IDF before publication. The Intercept also accused Israel of waging a propaganda war, using Al-Shifa as its main exhibit to justify attacks on refugee camps, schools, and hospitals. Israel has been accused of trying to portray Al-Shifa as a secret Hamas military base to push back against critics of its campaign of civilian death and destruction in Gaza.
The head of the World Health Organization called the Israeli raid on the hospital "totally unacceptable," and United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk called for an independent international investigation. Medical staff at Al-Shifa accused Israel of directly causing civilian deaths, including prematurely born babies. Amnesty International stated that Israel had failed to provide credible evidence of a Hamas military command centre at the hospital. While some media outlets and US intelligence concurred with Israel's assessment, others concluded that the evidence did not demonstrate the use of a command centre by Hamas.
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Calls for independent investigations
Al-Shifa Hospital, a government-run hospital in Gaza City, Palestine, has been at the centre of allegations regarding the existence of underground tunnels being used by Hamas for military purposes. While Israel and the United States claimed that Hamas was using the hospital as its "main operations base", Hamas, hospital administrators, and doctors at the medical complex denied any military presence or use of the hospital as a shield for underground tunnels.
The debate surrounding the alleged military use of Al-Shifa Hospital has led to calls for independent investigations to verify the claims. Doctors at the hospital have strongly advocated for a third-party investigation, given the lack of conclusive evidence presented by Israeli forces. The head of the World Health Organization also deemed the November raid on the hospital "totally unacceptable", underscoring the need for an impartial inquiry.
International observers and media outlets have expressed mixed reactions to the allegations. While some media outlets acknowledged the existence of a tunnel network, they questioned whether it served as a command and control centre or had access points within the hospital wards. Visual evidence provided by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has been scrutinised, with critics arguing that the burden of proof should be high to justify the raid on a hospital. The limited access to the site and the potential rearrangement of weaponry before press access have further complicated the assessment of the situation.
The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, Volker Türk, emphasised the importance of an independent investigation in the aftermath of the Al-Shifa Hospital siege. This call for an independent inquiry highlights the need for an impartial assessment of the situation, particularly in light of the conflicting claims and evidence presented.
As the debate surrounding the alleged military use of Al-Shifa Hospital continues, the calls for independent investigations remain crucial. These investigations aim to provide a comprehensive and unbiased evaluation of the evidence, ensuring that any allegations of military activity within a hospital setting are thoroughly scrutinised and addressed through appropriate channels.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, tunnels have been found under al-Shifa hospital. However, it is disputed whether Hamas used the tunnels for military purposes or as a command center.
The Israeli military has released videos and photos of what it says is evidence of Hamas's presence in the tunnels, including weapons, military uniforms, and other equipment. However, the evidence has been disputed by media outlets, hospital workers, and human rights organizations.
Yes, it has been known for many years that the tunnels under al-Shifa hospital were built by Israel during its occupation of Gaza in 1983. Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak acknowledged this in an interview, but claimed that the tunnels were being used by Hamas as a reason to raid the hospital.
