Israel has launched new proof that it claims additional proves that Hamas is utilizing hospitals in Gaza as army positions.
Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, the highest spokesperson for the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), additionally accused the militant group of stopping remaining civilians in northern Gaza from heeding Israeli warnings to flee south.
He stated that Hamas fighters with anti-tank missiles focused Israeli troops who had been attempting to arrange a humanitarian hall on Saturday.
Follow live: Internet services ‘completely cut off again’ across Gaza
“I wish to be clear, the IDF adjusted our floor operations to maintain the corridors from the north to the south open, however Hamas is attacking our forces,” the spokesperson instructed a information briefing.
Israel is underneath rising strain over its battle in opposition to Hamas inside Gaza – launched within the wake of a Hamas terror assault on Israeli soil on 7 October – due to the big variety of civilian deaths. Arab leaders are demanding a ceasefire and even the US seems to favour a humanitarian pause.
The Hamas-controlled well being authorities in Gaza have stated greater than 9,000 folks have died previously 4 weeks, greater than a 3rd of them kids.
Rear Admiral Hagari used the briefing to attempt to clarify the efforts Israel has taken to warn civilians to maneuver out of hurt’s manner within the north – dropping greater than 1.5 million leaflets and calling practically 20,000 residents.
He additionally needed to focus on one other allegation by Israel – that Hamas is launching assaults on Israeli forces from hospitals.
The spokesperson stated he was revealing declassified intelligence on a big tv display screen behind him.
He pulled up a picture that purportedly confirmed an entrance to a community of tunnels underneath Gaza that’s utilized by Hamas within the grounds of the Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa bin Thani hospital, north of Gaza Metropolis.
Hamas fighters additionally opened hearth on approaching Israeli floor troops – from contained in the hospital, the spokesperson claimed.
“As we speak we will even launch proof that the Indonesian hospital is being utilized by Hamas to cover an underground command and management centre,” Rear Admiral Hagari stated.
Learn extra:
Forensic teams identify Hamas victims from mutilated remains
US ‘committed’ to establishment of Palestinian state
One other picture of the Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa bin Thani hospital
He pointed to a satellite tv for pc picture of the hospital from 7 October – the day of the Hamas assault.
“I’m going to zoom in on the world right here – throughout the road – solely 75 metres, 80 metres to the hospital,” the spokesperson stated.
“Right here the IDF recognized a launchpad which means they launched rockets from right here. I wish to report it – they launch rockets on Israel, 75 metres from a hospital. Why? They know exactly that if Israel will airstrike a launchpad like that the hospital can be broken.”
No less than 15 folks had been killed and 60 had been wounded in an Israeli airstrike on an ambulance convoy close to a hospital in Gaza on Thursday, the Palestinian territory’s well being ministry has stated.
The well being ministry added that the ambulances had been carrying injured folks to be transferred to Egypt for remedy.
The IDF has stated a “variety of Hamas terrorist operatives had been killed within the strike”.
Footage seen by Sky Information exhibits injured and {dead} folks outdoors the Shifa hospital in northern Gaza.