Israel's Hospital Tunnel Mystery: What Lies Beneath?

Israel has long claimed that Hamas was using Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza as a command centre and military post, with tunnels and a bunker underneath the hospital. In November 2023, Israeli troops raided the hospital, claiming to have found weapons, including rifles, grenades, and military vests, as well as a tunnel shaft and a vehicle containing a large number of weapons. However, Israel has not presented evidence of a Hamas-run tunnel or military command centre, and hospital staff and Hamas have rejected the claims. The situation has raised concerns for the lives of patients and medical staff in the hospital, with reports of Israeli soldiers removing bodies and destroying cars in the hospital grounds.

Israel claims to have found Hamas weapons in Gaza's Al-Shifa Hospital

Israel has claimed to have found Hamas weapons in Gaza's Al-Shifa Hospital, the largest medical facility in the coastal enclave. The Israeli military released a statement saying that they had discovered rifles, grenades, and military vests, as well as other equipment belonging to Hamas. They also released video footage from inside the hospital complex, which showed three duffel bags containing an assault rifle, grenades, Hamas uniforms, and flak jackets. The Israeli military spokesperson, Jonathan Conricus, stated that these weapons should not be inside a hospital.

However, Hamas has denied the claims, stating that Israel's allegations are "nothing but a continuation of the lies and cheap propaganda". They have requested that an independent, international team verify Israel's claims, which Israel has constantly rejected. Mustafa Barghouti, the general secretary of the Palestinian National Initiative, also questioned the veracity of Israel's claims, suggesting that the weapons shown in the videos could have been planted by the Israeli army itself.

The situation has raised concerns about the endangerment of civilians seeking medical treatment or shelter in hospitals. Medics and hospital officials have expressed fear for the lives of patients and staff inside, with conditions continuing to deteriorate. The World Health Organization has stated that it has lost touch with health personnel at the hospital.

Israel has long accused Hamas of using Al-Shifa Hospital as a command centre and military post, with the United States backing these claims. Israel's military action comes during the third week of a ground invasion in northern Gaza, with Israeli forces encircling Al-Shifa and other medical buildings, demanding their evacuation. On November 19, the IDF released footage of what it claimed was a Hamas tunnel network beneath the hospital, but this position has been disputed by Hamas and hospital administrators, who have denied the existence of tunnels.

Israel says it found a tunnel shaft and vehicle with weapons inside the hospital complex

Israel has claimed to have found a tunnel shaft and a vehicle with weapons inside the hospital complex of Gaza's Al-Shifa hospital. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) released photos and video clips on Thursday, November 16, 2023, showing what it described as Hamas "terror infrastructure". The IDF said that its troops were continuing to conduct targeted activity at the hospital, which is Gaza's largest health facility, and that Hamas had been using it for military purposes in violation of international law.

The video and photos released by the IDF showed an operational tunnel shaft, weapons, ammunition, and a booby-trapped vehicle containing a large number of weapons. The military said that the tunnel shaft and weapons were found inside the hospital complex, specifically in Building No. 2, which was built as an add-on in the mid-1980s. The hospital's director, Muhammad Abu Salamiya, confirmed that the hospital had been "under occupation authority" and that patients were at risk due to the Israeli presence.

The Israeli military spokesperson, Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, stated that the weapons found had "absolutely no business being inside a hospital" and that he believed more evidence of Hamas' presence would be found. The IDF also reported that its elite Shaldag unit and other forces of the 36th Division discovered an array of weapons inside the hospital, including combat equipment and military equipment used by Hamas. However, no evidence of a Hamas command centre was found during the raid.

The raid on the hospital has raised concerns about the safety of patients and medical staff. Palestinian medics expressed fear for the lives of hundreds of patients cut off from the outside world, and the United Nations warned that hospitals have special protections under international humanitarian law. Additionally, there were reports that Israeli soldiers had removed bodies from the hospital grounds and destroyed cars, while preventing staff and patients from leaving.

While Israel and the United States have asserted that Hamas was using the hospital as a command centre and military post, these claims have been disputed. Hamas senior member Ezzat El Rashq accused Israel of planting the weapons and called for an independent international team to investigate. Mustafa Barghouti, the general secretary of the Palestinian National Initiative, also questioned the authenticity of the videos and photos, suggesting that the evidence could have been planted by the Israeli army.

Israel has not provided evidence of Hamas tunnels or a military command centre under the hospital

Israel has accused Hamas of using Gaza's Al-Shifa Hospital as a base for military operations, with Israeli officials claiming that Hamas has been using the hospital to serve as a headquarters and to store weapons and ammunition, in violation of international law. However, Israel has not provided conclusive evidence to support these claims. While the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have released photos and video clips showing what they describe as Hamas "terror infrastructure", the director of Al Shifa Complex, Muhammad Abu Salamiya, refuted these claims, stating that the hospital had been "under occupation authority" and that patients were at risk of dying due to lack of supplies.

The IDF has asserted that its troops found an operational tunnel shaft and a vehicle containing weapons inside the hospital complex. They also released a video from inside an undisclosed building within the medical complex, showing duffel bags containing weapons and Hamas uniforms. However, the Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza denied the presence of any equipment or weapons in the hospital. Mustafa Barghouti, the general secretary of the Palestinian National Initiative, also cast doubt on the authenticity of the videos, suggesting that the evidence could have been planted by the Israeli army itself.

Al Jazeera conducted a digital investigation and found no evidence to support the Israeli forces' claim that there were Hamas tunnels under Gaza's hospitals. Additionally, Huwaida Arraf stated that Israel had not presented any proof of Hamas using the hospital or the bunker and that local and foreign doctors had denied such allegations. Arraf also pointed out that Israel rejected offers for an international delegation to inspect the site.

The situation has raised concerns among medics and human rights organizations, with Palestinian medics expressing fear for the lives of patients and medical staff at the hospital. Human Rights Watch cautioned that hospitals are protected under international humanitarian law. The impact of the conflict on Gaza's health infrastructure and the safety of patients and medical staff remain a critical issue.

Hamas denies using the hospital as a base for its operations

The Israeli military has claimed that Hamas, the ruling Islamist group in Gaza, has been using Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City as its main command centre and military post. They further allege that Hamas has been storing weapons and hostages in the hospital, which has special protection under international humanitarian law.

However, Hamas has repeatedly denied these claims, stating that there is no truth to the allegations. They have called for an independent investigation by a committee from the United Nations, the World Health Organization, and the International Committee of the Red Cross. Hamas and hospital administrators have disputed the existence of tunnels beneath the hospital and requested that an international delegation be sent to verify their claims.

An Al Jazeera digital investigation found no evidence to support the Israeli forces' claim that there is a Hamas tunnel under Gaza's Sheikh Hamad Hospital. Similarly, the Washington Post analysed publicly released material by Israel and concluded that there was "no immediate evidence of military use by Hamas". Amnesty International has also stated that they have "not seen any credible evidence to support Israel's claim that al-Shifa is housing a military command centre".

The director of Al-Shifa Complex, Muhammad Abu Salamiya, expressed concern about the situation, stating that the hospital had been "under occupation authority" and that patients' lives were at risk. Medics and officials inside the hospital have contradicted Israel's denial of a siege, stating that those trying to leave come under fire.

The hospital is Gaza's largest medical facility, with 650 patients and about 7,000 displaced people

The Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza, the largest medical facility in the region, has been at the centre of the ongoing Israel-Palestine conflict. The hospital has been under the control of the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) for over 48 hours, with troops deployed on all sides of the hospital. The director of the hospital, Muhammad Abu Salamiya, stated that "every minute that passes, more patients will die."

The hospital currently houses 650 patients and about 7,000 people displaced by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. With the hospital under occupation, there is a growing fear among medics and medical staff for the lives of these patients. The hospital has been cut off from the outside world, with no water, food, or baby milk. The Israeli soldiers have also been accused of removing bodies from the hospital grounds and destroying cars.

The IDF has stated that the hospital is being used by Hamas as a command centre and military post. They have released photos and video clips showing what they describe as Hamas "terror infrastructure", including weapons, ammunition, and an operational "tunnel shaft." However, Hamas has denied these claims, stating that the Israeli forces "did not find any equipment or weapons in the hospital." The Hamas senior member Ezzat El Rashq accused the IDF of planting the weapons, clothes, and tools found in the hospital.

The IDF has not yet presented evidence of Hamas controlling the infrastructure beneath the hospital. An Al Jazeera investigation found no grounds to support the Israeli forces' claim that there is a Hamas tunnel under the hospital. The IDF has been accused of refusing independent inspections of the site, with Israel rejecting calls for an international delegation to examine the hospital.

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