The Israel Defense Forces accused Hamas terror leaders of launching attacks from hospitals in Gaza and said such actions could make them legitimate targets for future attacks.
On Friday, Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, an IDF spokesman, said Israel has evidence that hundreds of Hamas fighters “flooded” into Shifa Hospital, the largest medical center in Gaza, following the Oct. 7 massacre of more than 1,400 Israelis — mostly civilians — and the kidnapping of hundreds of others.
“What we are doing now is putting a red flag to the world,” Adm. Hagari told international reporters during a press conference. “Hamas is cynically using hospitals as a shield for its underground terror complex. We know it and we have the proof.”
He said the IDF shared its evidence with allied intelligence agencies but declined to release it to the media. Adm. Hagari also accused Hamas of placing terror infrastructure and weapons at other sensitive sites, such as schools and mosques.
“Hamas not only endangers the lives of Israeli civilians but also exploits innocent Gazan civilians as human shields,” he said. “They know the IDF distinguishes between terrorists and civilians.”
Adm. Hagari said the tunnels, store rooms, and hideouts running beneath hospitals in Gaza can be accessed from different locations inside the buildings.
“When medical facilities are used for terror purposes, they are liable to lose their protection from attack in accordance with international law,” he said. “The IDF will continue making efforts to minimize harm to the civilian population and will continue to act in accordance with international law.”
U.N. officials have warned that hospitals in Gaza are running dangerously low on fuel to keep the equipment running. The IDF said Hamas is responsible for what is happening there.
“There is fuel in hospitals in Gaza and Hamas is using it for its terror infrastructure,” Adm. Hagari said. ”Hamas has turned hospitals into command-and-control centers and hideouts for Hamas terrorists and commanders.”
• Mike Glenn can be reached at mglenn@washingtontimes.com.
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