The Israeli army showed a group of foreign journalists a hiding place of “Hamas” under the largest hospital in Gaza City – “Ash Shifa”reported the Associated Press.
Dozens of soldiers escorted the journalists through a narrow stone tunnel, which the Israeli army says is 150 meters long and leads to a series of underground bunkers beneath Ash Shifa hospital. At the end of the tunnel there is a living room with air conditioning, a kitchen, a bathroom and two metal beds in a room lined with yellowed tiles. It appears that the room is no longer in use.
Israeli army releases footage of ‘hostages in Gaza hospital’
Israel has vowed to destroy the Palestinian militant group Hamas after Hamas militants attacked southern Israel on October 7, killing more than 1,200 people and abducting around 240. Israel accuses Hamas of using Gaza hospitals as military shelters aims. According to Israel, Hamas has hidden command centers and bunkers under the vast grounds of Al Shifa hospital.
Israel has yet to reveal this alleged center, but the military has touted the underground hideout as its most significant discovery yet.
Hamas and the hospital administration have rejected Israel’s accusations.
The Israeli army announced that it had discovered a tunnel under Al-Shifa hospital
The Associated Press was allowed into Gaza on the condition that its journalist stay with the Israeli military convoy during the four-hour tour and submit its material to a military censor before publication. There is no other way for foreign journalists to enter the enclave, AP points out.
Israeli soldiers also showed foreign journalists weaponswhich according to the Israeli army were found in the hospital – dozens of AK-47 assault rifles, 20 grenades and several drones.
White House: Hamas has a command center at al-Shifa hospital in Gaza
The tour was tightly controlled by the Israeli army, but the journalists still managed to see something from Gaza, AP notes. The city’s streets are haunted, and hundreds of patients and doctors remain stranded at Ash Shifa Hospital. Journalists saw exhausted Palestinians preparing to evacuate, destroyed buildings and rubble in the streets. The city’s promenade, once full of establishments, is gone. There are ruins in its place. There is one post left for lifeguards, AP reports.
Journalists also saw a group of Palestinians evacuating, carrying bags and other belongings. As the journalists and the Israeli army convoy passed, the men and women showed their identity cards to the soldiers. Some also waved white flags.
Source: BTA, Sofia Georgieva
2023-11-23 05:34:59
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