An IDF video allegedly ‘used by Hamas’ is released beneath Gaza’s Al Shifa Hospital.

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) said the video, which was posted on social media, is “more proof” that Hamas is exploiting patients as “human shields”.The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) said the video, which was posted on social media, is “more proof” that Hamas is exploiting patients as “human shields”.

Israel’s military has released a video of what it claims is a 55-metre tunnel used by Hamas beneath Gaza’s largest hospital.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have released footage on social media which they claim provides further evidence of Hamas using patients as human shields. The video, taken at al Shifa, initially shows what is described as an “operational tunnel shaft,” appearing as a circular opening in the ground.

According to the IDF, this shaft descends approximately 10 meters underground. It is accessed using a three-meter ladder, followed by a spiral staircase that covers the remaining seven meters. At the base of the shaft is a tunnel, divided into two sections measuring five meters and 50 meters, respectively.

This tunnel’s discovery came about following a controlled explosion by the IDF on a vehicle that they have attributed to Hamas. The release of this footage and the IDF’s explanation seem aimed at reinforcing their claim about the militant group’s tactics in the region.

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have claimed to discover further evidence of Hamas using civilian areas and medical facilities for military purposes. In footage released on a platform formerly known as Twitter, the IDF highlighted the entrance of a tunnel they assert is associated with Hamas, located beneath Shifa Hospital in Gaza. This entrance reportedly features various defense mechanisms, including a blast-proof door and a firing hole, ostensibly to hinder Israeli forces’ access.

The images in the video, albeit blurry, depict these defensive features. The tunnel itself is described as having flat sides and a concave roof. Filmed on November 17, the footage shows an environment the IDF argues is indicative of Hamas’ military activities conducted from within civilian infrastructure.

IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari emphasized, “Hamas wages war from hospitals, wages terror from hospitals,” reinforcing the IDF’s stance on Hamas’ operational methods. To explore the tunnel safely, robots were employed, as mentioned by Sky News military analyst Sean Bell, highlighting the risks associated with such environments.

The claim by the IDF that Hamas has a command center beneath Shifa Hospital is countered by denials from both Hamas and hospital staff. This situation highlights the complexities and controversies surrounding military operations in densely populated civilian areas.

Adding an international perspective, Richard Brennan from the World Health Organization stressed that using medical facilities for military purposes contravenes international humanitarian law, reflecting the broader implications of such actions in the context of global humanitarian standards.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has reported significant challenges at al Shifa hospital in Gaza, which was previously known as the region’s largest and most well-equipped medical facility. According to the WHO, the hospital has ceased to function effectively due to the ongoing conflict.

A joint operation by United Nations and WHO experts was undertaken to gain access to the hospital amidst the dangerous conditions. Conducted on Saturday, this operation was deemed high-risk due to the intense fighting reported in the vicinity and the mass departure of patients, doctors, and others who had been taking shelter there.

During their brief time inside the hospital, limited to just one hour due to the precarious security situation, the team encountered dire conditions. They described the hospital as a “death zone,” reflecting the gravity of the situation they witnessed. The evidence of conflict was apparent, with signs of shelling and gunfire. Notably, the team observed a mass grave at the hospital’s entrance, where they were informed that over 80 individuals were buried.

This assessment underscores the severe impact of the conflict on healthcare facilities in the region, with al Shifa hospital no longer able to provide the necessary medical services amid such challenging circumstances.