Israel has raised severe allegations against Hamas, accusing the militant group of using hospitals as strategic locations for storing explosives and weapons.
The Israeli Defence Force (IDF) released a video on social media, claiming to have found evidence of such activities at Al-Shifa Hospital, a prominent medical facility in Gaza.
The IDF asserts that Hamas has turned the MRI building at Al-Shifa Hospital into an operational headquarters and a storage facility for technological equipment.
Watch as LTC (res.) Jonathan Conricus exposes the countless Hamas weapons IDF troops have uncovered in the Shifa Hospital’s MRI building: pic.twitter.com/5qssP8z1XQ
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) November 15, 2023
According to the military spokesperson, Jonathan Conricus, the hospital is being used as a cover by Hamas, with the group allegedly hiding behind civilians to shield its command centre.
In the video shared by the IDF, Conricus, accompanied by camerapersons, enters the hospital premises to provide what they claim is “unedited” evidence of Hamas’ weapon cache.
The footage shows damaged CCTV cameras at the MRI building and takes viewers to the MRI room, where military “grab-bags” are discovered. These bags purportedly contain weapons and ammunition, including an AK-47, cartridges, and a grenade.
Conricus, speaking inside the hospital, condemns the alleged use of medical facilities for military purposes, stating, “Without any doubt, Hamas systematically uses hospitals for its military operations in violation of international law.”
The situation escalated further when the IDF continued its operations at Al-Shifa Hospital, claiming it to be a Hamas command centre.
The Gaza health ministry, run by Hamas, reported that Israeli bulldozers had damaged parts of the southern entrance of the hospital.
Both sides, Israel and Hamas, have accused each other of engaging in a “propaganda war,” with each presenting its version of events through videos and statements.
Misinformation and decontextualized content have circulated on social media, adding complexity to an already volatile situation.
The IDF’s video release follows a similar one from the previous day, where the military claimed to have discovered a Hamas-operated tunnel leading to Gaza’s Rantsi hospital.
In this video, IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari enters the hospital through the tunnel and showcases what he alleges to be “operational gears” of Hamas.
The footage points to a poster on a wall with Arabic inscriptions, supposedly mentioning “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood” and a roster of Hamas operatives guarding Israeli hostages.
As the conflict continues, it is crucial to distinguish between authentic footage and misinformation. If confirmed, the use of hospitals for military purposes would raise serious concerns about violations of international law.
The international community closely watches the evolving situation, calling for a peaceful resolution to prevent further civilian casualties and damage to critical infrastructure.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members