Israeli military claims to find Hamas terror base in hospital where 'hostages were held': IDF says it has discovered scores of weapons including guns, rockets and grenades along with babies' bottles and nappies
By Matt Strudwick
Daily Mail
Nov 13, 2023
The 'kind of gear used for a major fight' claimed to have been uncovered in the basement of Al-Rantisi hospital includes RPGS, grenades, and Kalashnikovs
The Israeli military has claimed to have uncovered a Hamas terror base in a hospital with guns, rockets, and grenades found among babies' bottles and nappies.
Footage taken by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) claimed to show underground tunnels fitted with electrical power leading to the Al-Rantisi hospital.
The Gaza City hospital is where the IDF claimed Hamas commander Ahmed Siam held 1,000 people hostage and used them as 'human shields'. The military said on Friday he had been killed in a targeted airstrike at a school where he had been hiding with other terrorists.
The unnerving video clip was posted by the IDF on X, formerly known as Twitter, and alleges to have unearthed 'evidence' of the terror base in the hospital's basement.
Body vests fitted with explosives, grenades, Kalashnikov rifles, and RPGs are neatly arranged on the floor in a room with children's drawings scribbled on the wall.
IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari says in the video it is the 'kind of gear used for a major fight'.
'This is Hamas - firing RPGs from hospitals,' he claims. 'The world has to understand who is Israel fighting against.'
A motorbike riddled with bullets is also found parked in the basement which troops claim was used by terrorists to ride into Israel to slaughter and capture people during the October 7 massacre which saw 1,400 killed and 240 taken hostage.
Women's clothing draped across a chair with a rope discarded around the legs is evidence the basement was used to keep hostages tied up, the military claims.
A baby bottle and a pack of nappies were also supposedly found with ventilation, toilets, and a shower, and a small kitchen built in to the underground room.
Mr Hagari then goes into what he calls a 'hostage room' where he claims Hamas filmed hostage videos.
He then points a piece of paper taped to the wall with terrorist names written in Arabic detailing their 'shifts' of when to the guard the hostages.
'Hamas took all this area under its control and conducted its war against Israelis from this hospital,' he said.
Israel military said it found a baby bottle on top of a World Health Organisation box in the underground floor
A pack of nappies was also alleged to have been found in the terror base
A motorcycle riddle with bullets troops claim was used by Hamas during the October 7 massacre when 1,400 people were killed and 240 taken hostage
Fighting has so far been largely concentrated in a tightening circle around Al Shifa, Gaza's biggest hospital, the IDF released footage yesterday claiming to show Hamas fighters with RPGs outside a second hospital in the territory, al-Quds.
The IDF said some of its troops were fired at from the entrance of the hospital, where militants had 'embedded' themselves among civilians. But the force engaged with the fighters and 'subsequently eliminated' them, they say.
'RPG fire and small arms fire were directed at the soldiers from the direction of the al Quds Hospital in Gaza City,' the IDF said in a statement.
'The shooting was carried out by a terrorist squad that had embedded itself within a group of civilians at the entrance of the hospital.'
Israeli forces reached the gates of Gaza City's main hospital yesterday under which the IDF has insisted Hamas terrorists have their headquarters in makeshift tunnels.
Scores of Israeli soldiers and tanks have now surrounded the sprawling Al Shifa hospital where thousands of patients and civilians remain trapped in what could be a pivotal moment in the bloody war.
The Hamas-run Gaza health ministry said an Israel tank was now stationed at the hospital gate. Israeli snipers and drones were firing into the hospital, making it impossible for medics and patients to move around.
Troops allege to have uncovered evidence of hostages being tied up in the room with women's clothing found discarded on a chair
IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari points to a discarded piece of rope on the floor which he said could have been used to tie up captives
A piece of paper with Arabic writing is supposedly details the names of terrorist and their 'shifts' to guard the hostages
'We are besieged and are inside a circle of death,' he said.
Israeli forces appear ready to enter the hospital where they have consistently insisted that Hamas terrorists are hiding in underground tunnels beneath the building and using the patients as shields.
Hamas denies the Israeli claim.
The Al Shifa hospital, which the World Health Organisation has said is 'no longer functioning', has been a primary target for Israeli troops in their battle to seize control of the northern half of the Gaza Strip. Medics and the thousands of civilians trapped inside have told how newborn babies and patients are dying for lack of fuel.
Joe Biden has responded to Israel's actions and the US President insisted 'hospitals must be protected'.
'My hope and expectation is that there will be less intrusive action relative to hospitals and we remain in contact with the Israelis,' Biden told reporters at the White House yesterday.
'Also there is an effort to get this pause to deal with the release of prisoners and that's being negotiated, as well, with the Qataris ... being engaged,' he added. 'So I remain somewhat hopeful but hospitals must be protected.'
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