U.S. Intelligence Assessment: Hamas Used Shifa Hospital as Command Center

An American official, citing declassified information, told Reuters that U.S. intelligence agencies assess that the Islamist group Hamas and another Palestinian group fighting Israel used the Shifa hospital in Gaza as a command center and to hold some hostages, but largely evacuated the complex days before Israeli forces entered. The official, who requested anonymity, stated that the complex was used by Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad to command forces fighting against Israel. U.S. intelligence agencies have not disclosed the evidence on which their assessment is based. This official emphasized that the U.S. has independently verified this information. According to this official, the U.S. government believes that Hamas used the hospital complex and its underground facilities for command and control activities, storing weapons, and holding several hostages. The official noted that U.S. intelligence obtained information indicating that Hamas militants largely evacuated the complex days before the Israeli operation, destroying documents and electronic equipment during their exit. This U.S. intelligence assessment was first reported by The New York Times. A classified version of this assessment has been sent to lawmakers in the U.S. Congress. Israeli tanks advanced towards Shifa hospital in mid-November while several patients were still inside. Israel stated that the hospital is situated above tunnels that serve as a base for Hamas militants and that they use patients as human shields. Hamas denied this claim. The New York Times reported that the Israeli assessment was 'at least partially correct' in that some hostages were held in the complex or its substructure, but it appeared that these hostages were moved to another location following Hamas's evacuation of the complex. In November, John Kirby, the White House National Security spokesman, stated that Hamas militants shelter themselves in the hospital and use it as a shield against military actions, putting patients and medical staff at risk. Following the terrorist attacks by Hamas and other Palestinian groups on Israel on October 7 of last year, at least 1,200 citizens, mostly civilians, were killed by Palestinian groups, and at least 240 others were abducted and taken hostage. According to health officials in Gaza, which is controlled by Hamas, over 22,000 people have been killed since the start of Israel's retaliatory attacks on Gaza. Images of the transfer of Israeli hostages to Shifa hospital by Hamas have been released; the transfer of infants to Egypt has also been reported. The latest news regarding the war in Gaza includes the exit of several patients and medical staff from Shifa hospital. Weapons and documents discovered were only from one of the basements of the large Shifa hospital. The 'Meta' oversight board is reviewing cases related to the Israel-Hamas war. Israel has discovered 800 entrances to Hamas tunnels beneath Gaza. Israeli forces have arrested the head and several doctors of Shifa hospital. Surveillance camera images of the transfer of Israeli hostages to Shifa hospital by Hamas have been released. Israel stated that an Israeli soldier who was captured and killed by Hamas was held in 'Shifa hospital.' The Israeli army discovered a '55-meter fortified tunnel' beneath Shifa hospital. The Israeli army reported that several patients, staff, and refugees left Shifa hospital. Netanyahu stated that hostages were present until the start of Israel's ground operation at Shifa hospital.