US intel confirms Hamas used Shifa Hospital as command center
U.S. Intelligence Reveals Hamas’ Use of Gaza Hospital
In a shocking revelation, U.S. spy agencies have assessed that Hamas, an Islamist group, along with another Palestinian group, utilized Gaza’s Al Shifa Hospital as a command center and even held hostages. However, they managed to evacuate most of the complex just days before Israeli troops entered. This information was disclosed by a U.S. official, who cited declassified U.S. intelligence.
The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, stated that both Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad used the complex to command their forces against Israel. The evidence on which these assessments were based has not been disclosed by U.S. intelligence agencies, but the official confirmed that the U.S. independently verified the information.
Israel has also claimed that Hamas used Al Shifa Hospital, which they had previously occupied during the war in Gaza. The entry of Israeli troops into the hospital in November drew condemnation from Arab and Western leaders and received scathing coverage from the global media.
The World Health Organization described the emergency department of the main health facility in Gaza as resembling a “bloodbath.”
The American government firmly believes that Hamas utilized the hospital complex and its underground sites for command and control activities, weapon storage, and even holding hostages. According to the U.S. official, intelligence agencies obtained information that Hamas fighters had largely evacuated the complex and destroyed evidence before Israel’s operation.
The U.S. intelligence assessment was first reported by the New York Times, and a classified version was sent to lawmakers in the U.S. Congress.
In mid-November, Israeli tanks advanced on Al Shifa Hospital, with some patients still inside. Israel claimed that the hospital sat atop tunnels housing Hamas fighters who used patients as shields, a claim denied by Hamas.
The Israeli assessment was partially correct, as some hostages were indeed held at or under the complex. However, it appears that Hamas had moved these hostages as they evacuated the hospital, according to the New York Times.
In November, White House national security spokesman John Kirby stated that Hamas militants were using the hospital as a shield against military action, endangering patients and medical staff.
“We have our own intelligence that convinces us that Hamas was using Al Shifa as a command and control node, and most likely as well as a storage facility,” Kirby said at the time.
Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7 resulted in 1,200 deaths, according to Israeli sources. In response, Israel’s assault on Hamas-ruled Gaza has claimed over 22,000 lives, according to the Hamas-run Gaza health ministry.
(Reporting by Jonathan Landay; additional reporting and writing by Kanishka Singh; editing by Mary Milliken and Michael Perry)
How does the exploitation of civilian infrastructure by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad reflect on their commitment to humanitarian principles?
Eaders, who accused Israel of violating humanitarian laws and causing further distress to the Palestinian people.
This revelation exposes the extent to which Hamas, designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and several other countries, is willing to exploit civilian infrastructure for its own military purposes. The use of a hospital as a command center not only puts innocent lives at risk but also undermines the credibility of humanitarian facilities and the principles they are meant to uphold.
The declassified U.S. intelligence suggests that Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad deliberately chose Al Shifa Hospital as their command center, fully aware of the consequences it could have on the safety and well-being of the patients and staff. This callous disregard for civilian lives demonstrates the lengths to which these groups are willing to go in their pursuit of violence and terror.
It is important to note that while the intelligence reveals the use of Al Shifa Hospital by Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, it does not imply any wrongdoing on the part of the hospital or its staff. Hospitals are meant to be neutral spaces, providing care and treatment to all those in need, regardless of their affiliations or political beliefs. Any exploitation of such facilities by armed groups is a direct violation of international law and a breach of the trust placed in these institutions.
This revelation also raises questions about the responsibility of those who provide support to Hamas and other similar groups. The international community must take a collective stand against the use of civilian infrastructure for military purposes. It is crucial that countries and organizations engaged in aid and humanitarian efforts ensure that their resources and assistance are not being misused or diverted by terrorist organizations.
The disclosure of this intelligence should serve as a wake-up call to the international community and reinforce the need for increased vigilance in the face of terrorism. It underscores the importance of intelligence-gathering and sharing efforts in identifying and countering the strategies employed by extremist groups.
Furthermore, this revelation should spur a thorough examination of the tactics used by Hamas and other similar groups in their ongoing conflict with Israel. By exploiting civilian infrastructure, they not only put innocent lives at risk but also manipulate the international community’s perception of the conflict, aiming to garner sympathy and support.
In conclusion, the U.S. intelligence revealing Hamas’ use of Gaza’s Al Shifa Hospital as a command center is both shocking and alarming. It exposes the callousness and disregard for innocent lives displayed by terrorist organizations and highlights the need for continued international cooperation in the fight against terrorism. It is imperative that all parties involved prioritize the protection of civilians, ensuring that hospitals and other essential facilities remain sanctuaries of care rather than tools of violence.
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