As Israeli forces enter al-Shifa Hospital and the human situation – in the building and throughout the Gaza Strip – continues to deteriorate, the United States has accused Hamas of using the health facilities for military operations, a claim proven by the Israeli army, which says: it found ammunition, weapons and an operations center. In the fifth attempt, the UN Security Council voted in favor of a resolution proposed by Malta calling for urgent and comprehensive humanitarian pauses, as well as humanitarian corridors in the war-torn region.
After finding “explosive devices” and being involved in clashes abroad that killed five Hamas fighters, the Israeli army carried out a “precise and targeted” mission, an Israeli military spokesman said. Meanwhile, Tel Aviv’s closest ally, the US, through Security Council spokesman John Kirby, accused Hamas and other Palestinian groups of “using some hospitals in the Gaza Strip, including Al-Shifa, and tunnels beneath them, to support their military to conceal and support operations. and take hostages.”
Hours later, the Israeli army published photos and videos showing assault rifles, grenades and other military equipment found at the MRI center by members of an elite unit, Shaldag, and other armed forces: “During searches in one of the departments of the hospital, troops found a room containing unique technological resources, combat equipment and military equipment used by the terrorist organization Hamas.”
In addition, troops say they found a Hamas operational headquarters and “technological assets” and Hamas uniforms on the hospital floor, “so the terrorists could escape disguised as civilians,” spokesman Daniel Hagari claimed. “These findings unequivocally prove that the hospital was used for terrorism, which is a complete violation of international law.”
The Hamas Health Ministry says Tel Aviv’s accusations are a “blatant lie” and considers the attack on the hospital a “crime against humanity.” The Israeli military says it will remain in the hospital because it suspects Hamas’s main command center is there.
Fuel has entered Gaza, but its use is limited to transporting relief supplies. Yet Netanyahu faced criticism from the right.
The UN Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) confirmed it had received fuel – for the first time since October 7, Tel Aviv allowed its entry. However, according to the agency’s general commissioner, Philippe Lazzarini, the 23,000 liters received are clearly insufficient, as the enclave needs 160,000 liters daily for humanitarian operations. Worse still, its use is limited to the transport of humanitarian aid. “It is terrible that fuel is still used as a weapon of war.”
Yet this concession earned Benjamin Netanyahu criticism from the far right in the Israeli government. “Diesel = weapon,” wrote Itamar Ben Gvir, Minister of National Security, in . While listening to criticism and a call from opposition chief Yair Lapid to be fired and replaced by someone else from Likud, the prime minister assured that the country will be able to reach all shelters in Gaza and free the hostages.
Speaking to Sky News, Mark Regev, adviser to Israel’s head of government, said a substantial increase in humanitarian aid in northern Gaza is unlikely as long as the fighting continues. Aiming to provide aid to the entire enclave, including the north, the UN Security Council, with the US, Russia and Britain abstaining, approved a resolution calling for pauses and urgent humanitarian corridors.
Source: DN
