Hidden Hamas Headquarters at Gaza Hospital Reached by Israeli Forces

[Valin]

Foundation for Defense of Democracies

Nov. 15 2023

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) entered Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City on November 15, trading fire with Palestinian terrorists in the first stage of an operation to uncover Hamas command centers at the site. The breach on the western side of the Shifa compound followed its encirclement by the IDF and calls on patients and Palestinian civilians holed up there to evacuate. Some remained, however, complicating Israel’s efforts.

At least five Palestinians were killed at Shifa’s gates as they fired at the IDF. The Israeli forces included Arabic interpreters and medical experts, bringing with them incubators and baby food for the hospital’s neonatal and pediatric wards. Troops went room to room, conducting initial searches and interrogations, utilizing special training they had received for operations within the hospital. There were no immediate reports of any IDF casualties.

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[Valin]

Shifa hospital the focus of IDF ground operations in Gaza
Seth Frantzman

November 15, 2023

The Israel Defense Forces on November 15 began the task of searching Gaza’s Shifa hospital for evidence of Hamas’ use of the facility as a headquarters and weapons storage depot. The numerous buildings composing the hospital complex — Gaza’s largest — adds to the mission’s existing complexities. The hospital has grown over the last fifty years, including with additions and renovations conducted by Israel when it ran the Gaza Strip prior to its disengagement in 2005. Since 2014, there have been many reports that Hamas uses areas under the hospital as a command and control node.

On November 15, the IDF entered a specific area of the hospital and searched for evidence of Hamas terrorists’ use of the premises. “An operational command center, weapons and technological assets were found in the MRI building of the hospital; IDF troops are continuing the precise and targeted operation against Hamas in the Shifa Hospital complex,” the IDF said.

IDF forces including medical teams and Arabic speakers began the operation at Shifa hospital one week after closing in on the area from the south. Prior to commencing, these IDF forces conducted training tailored to the unique challenges posed by such an environment. The IDF emphasized in numerous statements that it is exercising caution to avoid harming civilians. It also supplied the hospital with humanitarian aid, including incubators.

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[Valin]

Israel finds body of Gaza hostage near Al-Shifa hospital
Her body was found by the IDF's 603rd Combat Engineering Battalion operating in Gaza as part of Operation Swords of Iron.[
YONAH JEREMY BOB
NOVEMBER 16, 2023

Yehudit Weiss, whose body was found by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip on November 16, 2023
(photo credit: VIA MAARIV ONLINE)

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[Valin]

5 hours ago, Valin said:

Israel finds body of Gaza hostage near Al-Shifa hospital
Her body was found by the IDF's 603rd Combat Engineering Battalion operating in Gaza as part of Operation Swords of Iron.[
YONAH JEREMY BOB
NOVEMBER 16, 2023

Yehudit Weiss, whose body was found by Israeli forces in the Gaza Strip on November 16, 2023
(photo credit: VIA MAARIV ONLINE)

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Nov 16, 2023 #VargasReports

Israeli officials reported that the body of Yehudit Weiss was found near Gaza’s Al-Shifa hospital Thursday. Weiss was a 65-year-old Israeli woman who was kidnapped by Hamas during the attacks on Southern Israel on October 7.