Gaza's Al‑Shifa hospital: a Hamas command center, says US intelligence

In November, the Israeli military entered Al-Shifa, the largest hospital in the Gaza Strip. They alleged that the command center for Hamas was located in tunnels underneath the facility, leading to an exchange of fire on the premises where patients were present. The operation caused widespread international concern, with humanitarian organizations officially condemning it and the White House emphasizing that it had not approved for the operation.

Global agencies, citing information disclosed by US intelligence agencies on Tuesday, now report that the hospital was indeed used as the main headquarters by jihadists. A high-ranking US intelligence officer, who wished to remain anonymous, confirmed this information to Reuters.

The source told Reuters, "The complex was used by both Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad as the command center for forces fighting against Israel."

While the US intelligence agencies have not disclosed any evidence, the official argues that this information is confirmed. It is backed up by findings from independent sources in the US and Israel. The tunnels under Al-Shifa Hospital in the Gaza Strip, they claim, were used by Hamas for weapon storage and to hold "at least several hostages". Therefore, this new assessment from US intelligence implies that the Israeli operation was at least partially justified.

The senior intelligence official stated on Tuesday that the militants had evacuated a few days before the Israeli operation. They reportedly destroyed documents and electronic equipment and relocated the hostages.