Israel Defense Forces spokesman Daniel Hagari released a video that proves that the militants of the Islamist movement Hamas are using the hospital to hide weapons.
What was found in the basement of a children's hospital in Gaza
An IDF spokesman showed the basement of Rantisi Children's Hospital in the Gaza Strip, as well as rooms that could have been used to hold hostages.
In one of them stood a chair with a woman's robe and a rope near one of the legs. There was also equipment from the World Health Organization, which laid a baby bottle and diapers on the floor.
Among the weapons, the IDF found AK-47 assault rifles, grenades, suicide vests, etc. The army spokesman said that Israel continues to find out whether hostages were held in the hospital and plans to send forensic experts there.
A motorcycle was also found, on which militants probably attacked southern Israel on October 7 and took hostages.
Hagari said patients from the hospital had already been evacuated and called on other Palestinians to leave the northern Gaza Strip.
What is known about the Hamas attack on Israel
On October 7, 2023, Hamas militants attacked southern Israel and killed about 1,400 people, mostly civilians. More than 200 people were taken hostage. In response, Israel began bombing the Gaza Strip, and on October 25 — a ground operation in the exclave.
As of November 14, the Gaza Strip has been cut in half by the Israeli army. Fighting continues in the north, and Gaza City is surrounded. The IDF says Hamas has lost control of Gaza.
Since November 13, fighting has been going on for the city's two leading hospitals — Al-Shifa and Al-Quds. The IDF says the first hospital is Hamas headquarters and has an extensive tunnel system underneath, and the militants also use the second.
About 650 people may be locked up in Al-Shifa, and there are also patients in Al-Quds. There is no electricity or water, which is why the wounded and children are dying.
The Hamas-controlled health service reported on November 13 that 11,240 people, about 40% of whom were children, had already died in the Gaza Strip since the start of shelling and airstrikes.
