IDF enters Gaza hospital following intel about bodies of hostages

Hamas regularly uses hospitals and civilian centers such as mosques and schools for its terrorist activities.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

Based on ‘credible intel’ that Hamas was hiding bodies of hostages in Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis, the IDF embarked on a precise mission to locate them, IDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari reported on Thursday.

He said, “We have credible intelligence from a number of sources, including from released hostages, indicating that Hamas held hostages at the Nasser hospital in Khan Yunis and that there may be bodies of our hostages in the Nasser hospital facility.”

Hamas regularly uses hospitals for its terrorist activities as well as other civilian centers such as mosques and schools. They know Israel is reluctant to operate in these areas and that the global public relations fallout when Israel does launch a mission inside of these places is often intense and negative.

Hagari explained, “As was proven with the Shifa Hospital, Rantisi Hospital, Al Amal Hospital; and many other hospitals across Gaza, Hamas systematically uses hospitals as terror hubs.”

He cited the fact that “over 85 percent of major medical facilities in Gaza” were used by Hamas as locations for the terror group’s activities.

Hagari said that the IDF was sending troops who had ‘specified training’ on how to deal with an enemy using civilians as human shields, as Hamas does frequently, especially inside of hospitals.

He added, “A key objective as defined by our military mission is to ensure that the Nasser hospital continues its important function of treating Gazan patients.”

Hagari emphasized that the IDF has been in communication with the hospital on steps to take to avoid injury to civilians and patients being treated at the facility.

“We emphasized that there is no obligation for patients or staff to evacuate the hospital,” he said.

“We coordinated the transfer of medical supplies and equipment to Nasser hospital. We sent oxygen tanks and fuel for electricity at the request of the hospital to ensure its essential functions continue uninterrupted. This was done in coordination with international organizations,” Hagari added.

“Our message to them is clear: We seek no harm to innocent civilians. We seek to find our hostages and bring them home. We seek to hunt down Hamas terrorists wherever they may be hiding,” he concluded.

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