Hailey Tran
During the Gaza war, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) accused Hamas of using the Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City as a command and control centre, with tunnels and underground rooms. The IDF released videos and photographs of evidence, including weapons, uniforms, and Hamas insignia, which they said proved Hamas was using the hospital for terrorist activities. However, the validity of this evidence has been disputed by Hamas, hospital administrators, and journalists, who claim that it does not prove the existence of an extensive underground complex or Hamas' use of the hospital as a base. The debate surrounding the alleged military use of Al-Shifa hospital highlights the complex dynamics of the conflict in Gaza and the challenges of verifying information from conflicting sources.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of incident | November 23, 2023 |
| Location | Al-Shifa Hospital, Gaza |
| Allegation | Hamas used the hospital as a command and control centre |
| Evidence | Bulletproof vest with Hamas insignia, small arms, tunnel network |
| Denial | Hamas, hospital administrators, media analysis |
| US intelligence assessment | Hamas used the hospital as a command centre, stored weapons, and held hostages |
| Israeli response | Hospital targeted due to Hamas' abuse of civilian infrastructure, efforts made to minimise damage |
| Geneva Conventions | Special protections for hospitals during war, Israel claims to observe proportionality |
| Casualties | Israeli airstrike killed at least four Palestinians and wounded 22 waiting for aid |
| Broader context | Israel-Gaza conflict, hostage situation, civilian casualties |
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What You'll Learn
Israel claims Hamas used Al-Shifa Hospital as a command centre
During the Gaza war, Israel claimed that Al-Shifa Hospital, the largest medical facility in Gaza, was being used by Hamas as its "main operations base" or "nerve centre". This claim was supported by the United States, with US intelligence stating that Hamas used the hospital to "house command infrastructure, exercise certain command and control activities, store some weapons, and hold at least a few hostages".
In November 2023, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) released footage of what they claimed was a Hamas tunnel network under the hospital, containing a winding staircase and a blast door with a gunhole. They also published surveillance footage that appeared to show a group of men bringing hostages into the hospital. However, the hospital director, Dr Mohammed Abu Salmiya, Hamas, and hospital administrators disputed these claims, denying the existence of tunnels beneath the hospital.
Several news organisations and experts have questioned the evidence presented by Israel, with some suggesting that the Israeli military could have fabricated evidence to support its allegations. Analysis of the tunnel footage and other materials by the Washington Post and CNN contradicted Israel's claims, finding no evidence that the hospital buildings were connected to or could be accessed from the tunnel network. The BBC also found that a video released by the IDF had been edited.
The incursion into the hospital and the presentation of allegedly fabricated evidence have raised concerns about potential war crimes as defined by international law, which prohibits the targeting of hospitals and the use of human shields. While Israel has asserted that Al-Shifa Hospital met the narrow exception under international law that allows military operations against hospitals if they are used for acts "harmful to the enemy", many have argued that the evidence presented falls short of justifying this claim.
As of January 2024, the debate continues, with US intelligence maintaining its belief in Hamas's military use of the hospital, while news reports continue to characterise Israeli and US statements as inconclusive.
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Israel says Hamas stored weapons in Al-Shifa Hospital
During the Gaza war, Israel claimed that Al-Shifa Hospital, Gaza's largest medical facility, was being used by Hamas as a "main operations base" or "nerve centre". This claim was disputed by Hamas, hospital administrators, and media outlets, who stated that the hospital served only as a medical facility.
Israel and the United States asserted the existence of tunnel networks and underground complexes beneath the hospital, which they believed were used by Hamas to store weapons, hold hostages, and conduct military operations. They presented evidence, including videos and photographs, that purportedly showed the discovery of weapons, tunnel entrances, and Hamas insignia within the hospital premises. However, the validity of this evidence was questioned by media organisations and independent analysts, who found it insufficient to prove the extent of Hamas's presence or military activities in the hospital.
US intelligence confirmed its belief that Hamas used Al-Shifa Hospital as a command centre and to store weapons, but news reports suggested that this was not considered conclusive proof. Classified Israeli intelligence documents obtained by The New York Times in February 2024 supported the claim that Hamas stored weapons and utilised tunnels within the hospital complex.
The dispute over the military use of Al-Shifa Hospital highlights the complexity of the conflict between Israel and Hamas, with both sides accusing the other of endangering civilian safety. The Geneva Conventions and international law prohibit the targeting of hospitals unless there is evidence of military activities "harmful to the enemy," underscoring the importance of thorough investigations and impartial assessments in such situations.
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Israel says Hamas held hostages in Al-Shifa Hospital
During the Gaza war, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) accused Hamas of using the Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza as a major command and control center. They claimed that Hamas militants were sheltering in the hospital, using the facility as a shield, and holding Israeli hostages. The IDF also asserted that there was an extensive underground tunnel complex beneath the hospital. As a result of these allegations, the hospital became a target during the siege of Gaza, leading to its occupation by Israeli forces.
The Israeli military released CCTV video footage and images, purportedly showing Hamas gunmen bringing foreign hostages into the hospital during the Oct. 7 raid. They also presented animations and graphics of a sophisticated underground tunnel network. However, the evidence provided by the IDF was disputed by various sources, including Hamas, hospital administrators, and media organizations. They denied the existence of tunnels beneath the hospital and requested an international delegation to verify their claims.
The Washington Post analyzed the publicly released material and found no immediate evidence of military use by Hamas. They concluded that the buildings identified by the IDF as being involved in Hamas's military activities were not connected to any tunnel network. Additionally, the BBC analyzed a video released by the IDF and determined that it had been edited, casting doubt on the authenticity of the footage. While acknowledging the existence of a tunnel network, Hamas denied that these tunnels were located in civilian infrastructure, such as hospitals.
U.S. intelligence agencies initially supported Israel's claims, stating that Hamas used the Al-Shifa Hospital complex and sites beneath it for command and control activities, weapons storage, and holding hostages. However, they did not disclose the evidence for their assessment. Later, in January 2024, U.S. spy agencies reported that Hamas had largely evacuated the hospital complex before Israeli troops entered it.
The allegations against Hamas and the subsequent targeting of the Al-Shifa Hospital during the Gaza war sparked debates about the observance of international humanitarian law and the Geneva Conventions, which provide protections for hospitals and restrict military operations against them.
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US intelligence concurs with Israel's assessment
During the Gaza war, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) stated that Al-Shifa Hospital was being used by Hamas as a major command and control centre, and consequently, it became a target during the siege of Gaza. This claim was disputed by Hamas, hospital administrators, and some media outlets.
The IDF provided video evidence of their findings at the hospital, which included footage of a bulletproof vest with Hamas insignia and weapons found in the MRI centre. They also released bodycam footage of a tunnel outside the European Hospital in Gaza, where Hamas chief Mohammed Sinwar's body was discovered. However, some publications, including the Guardian, argued that the evidence fell short of proving that Al-Shifa Hospital was Hamas's headquarters. The Washington Post analysed the publicly released material and concluded that there was no immediate evidence of military use by Hamas, and the buildings did not appear to be connected to any tunnel network.
US intelligence, however, has repeatedly stated that they concur with Israel's assessment. They confirmed that Hamas used the Al-Shifa Hospital complex and sites beneath it to house command infrastructure, conduct command and control activities, store weapons, and hold Israeli hostages. This assessment was based on their own intelligence and interrogations of captured Hamas militants, who confirmed the existence of an extensive underground complex beneath the hospital.
The Biden administration defended Israel's operations and presented independent claims based on US intelligence about the hospital. John Kirby, the White House national security spokesperson, referred to the Hamas facility as a command "node" and a possible weapons store. US intelligence has also confirmed that Hamas has integrated its operations in and around hospitals throughout Gaza, exploiting the protected status of hospitals under international humanitarian law.
The perception of the media was mixed. While some acknowledged the existence of tunnels beneath Al-Shifa Hospital and Hamas's use of the hospital to store hostages, they also criticised Israel for insufficient evidence to prove that the tunnels were accessible by the hospital.
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Media finds Israel's evidence insufficient
During the Gaza war, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that Al-Shifa Hospital, a government-run hospital in Gaza City, Palestine, was being used by Hamas as its "main operations base". This claim was denied by Hamas and hospital administrators, who requested that the international community send a delegation to verify their claims.
The IDF released photos and videos purporting to show evidence of Hamas activities at the hospital, including a tunnel network, military equipment, and armed militants. However, the media and independent analysts found Israel's evidence to be insufficient in proving that Al-Shifa Hospital was a Hamas command and control center.
The Washington Post analyzed the publicly released material and found no immediate evidence of military use by Hamas. They noted that the buildings identified by the IDF as being involved in Hamas's military activity did not appear to be connected to any tunnel network. Similarly, the BBC analyzed a video released by the IDF and found that it had been edited, contrary to the IDF's claims.
Other analysts, such as Scahill, questioned the quality of the evidence presented by the IDF, stating that it did not meet the threshold required to justify attacks on a hospital under international law. The perception of the media was mixed, with some concluding that while a network of tunnels existed beneath the hospital and Hamas had used it to store hostages, Israel's evidence was insufficient to prove the tunnels were a command and control center or accessible from within the hospital.
The lack of conclusive evidence has led to accusations of a propaganda war by Israel to detract from potential violations of international law, as hospitals are protected from military operations unless there is evidence of military use "harmful to the enemy" or the use of human shields, both of which constitute war crimes.
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Frequently asked questions
Israel has accused Hamas of using hospitals as bases for terrorism and has provided some evidence to support these claims. However, the validity of this evidence has been disputed.
Israel has provided video evidence of weapons and uniforms found in hospitals, suggesting Hamas had an armed presence in these locations. They have also released footage of secret tunnels and underground rooms, which they claim Hamas used as command and control centres.
The Washington Post analysed the publicly released material by Israel and concluded that there was "no immediate evidence of military use by Hamas". The Guardian also stated that the evidence produced by Israel "falls well short" of proving that a hospital was being used as Hamas HQ.
Hospitals are given special protection under international humanitarian law, even in wartime. However, this protection ceases if hospitals are used by a party to commit acts harmful to the enemy. Israel and Hamas have accused each other of violating international law and targeting civilians.
The conflict has resulted in significant casualties and displacement on both sides. Israel's offensive has killed over 55,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, while Hamas-led militants have killed approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians. There have also been reports of civilians being denied humanitarian aid and being targeted while seeking food.
