The IDF shows evidence of Hamas exploitation of civilian infrastructure and total disregard for human life, thus demonstrating the challenges in the war on terror.
The IDF has targeted specific sites and terrorists located within the premises of Al-Wafa hospital in Gaza City. This in light of several occasions in which fire was opened at IDF forces from within the hospital ground, and despite repeated warnings against such activities, including notifications to civilians to vacate the premises.
Recently, terror activities executed against IDF forces were enhanced, and in several attacks, terrorists opened fire and launched anti-tank missiles. The gunfire continued Wednesday morning.
The hospital grounds and its immediate surroundings have been repeatedly utilized by Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad as a command center, a rocket-launching site and a post enabling terrorists to open fire at Israeli soldiers.
The IDF has raised its concerns with international organizations on numerous occasions. Also, warnings have been conveyed directly to the hospital administration and other Palestinian officials.
“Hamas terrorists have been intentionally abusing the hospital and other international protected symbols to indiscriminately attack Israel and its civilians,” Lieutenant Colonel Peter Lerner, IDF Spokesman, stated. “The IDF is determined in preventing the ongoing aggression by Hamas that is directed by a strategy of exploitation and abuse of the civilian population and its wellbeing.”
Al-Wafa Hospital is a Hamas Military Compound
On Wednesday afternoon, the IDF explained in a press release:
“Al- Wafa hospital, located near Shuja’iya in Gaza City, is a Hamas military compound. The hospital housed a Hamas command and control center, and was utilized to direct and supervise the ongoing battles in the area. Among the hospital grounds, there was a lookout post, used to gather intelligence and monitor IDF forces activities in order to carry out attacks. In addition, there were several access shafts to the Hamas tunnel network from within the hospital.”
On Monday, at the request of the IDF, patients and staff evacuated the hospital, but Hamas gunmen remained and continued to fire at the IDF forces, the IDF stated.
On Tuesday, the statement continued, the head of the Israeli Coordination and Liaison Administration (CLA) with Gaza confirmed with the head of the WHO (World Health Organization) in Gaza that he had informed the hospital manager three time, that the premises should be vacated. The head of the WHO stated that the hospital manager declared there were no patients or staff in the hospital and that the building was empty. This was confirmed by the Gaza CLA on Wednesday.
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