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The Washington Post: Before the raid, IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari claimed that Hamas used parts of the hospital for militant activities and that it was connected to a network of underground tunnels. These claims were supported by “concrete evidence” presented by Israel.
However, a Washington Post analysis of available evidence, including open-source visuals, satellite imagery, and IDF materials, suggests:
- The rooms connected to the tunnel network discovered by IDF troops showed no immediate evidence of military use by Hamas.
- None of the five hospital buildings identified by Hagari appeared to be connected to the tunnel network.
- There is no evidence that the tunnels could be accessed from inside hospital wards.
The U.S. supported Israel’s claims, with intelligence assessments allegedly confirming Hamas’s use of the hospital for militant purposes. However, this intelligence has not been made public.
The IDF’s operation at al-Shifa caused significant disruption to the hospital’s operations, leading to the deaths of patients, including premature babies, due to lack of resources and electricity. The targeting of the hospital, a vital medical facility in Gaza, raised questions about the legality and proportionality of Israel’s military actions under international law.
Other hospitals in Gaza have since faced similar attacks, highlighting concerns about Israel’s adherence to the laws of war and the protected status of medical facilities in conflict zones. The targeting of al-Shifa and other hospitals has had a severe impact on Gaza’s healthcare system, with many facilities closing or becoming barely functional.
The entire article can be read at the link https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/12/21/al-shifa-hospital-gaza-hamas-israel/
