GAZA, Nov 17 — Israeli troopers found a tunnel shaft utilized by Hamas at Gaza’s Al Shifa hospital, the military stated, whereas the UN voiced concern no aid could be delivered to Palestinians at present through the Rafah crossing with Egypt.
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The military launched a video it stated confirmed a tunnel entrance in an out of doors space of Al Shifa, Gaza’s greatest hospital.
The video, which eNM couldn’t instantly confirm, confirmed a deep gap within the floor, plagued by and surrounded by concrete and wooden rubble and sand. It appeared the realm had been excavated; a bulldozer appeared within the background.
The military stated its troops additionally found a automobile within the hospital containing a lot of weapons.
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Hamas stated in an announcement late yesterday that claims by the Pentagon and US State Department that the group makes use of Al Shifa for navy functions “is a repetition of a blatantly false narrative, demonstrated by the weak and ridiculous performances of the occupation military spokesman.”
The United States is assured in an evaluation from its personal intelligence companies on Hamas actions in Al Shifa hospital and can neither share nor elaborate on it, White House spokesperson John Kirby stated yesterday.
Israeli navy spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari factors at a rope across the leg of a chair with girls’s clothes mendacity on the seat within the basement of Rantissi Hospital, a paediatric hospital with a specialty in treating most cancers sufferers, at a location given as Gaza, on this nonetheless picture taken from video launched November 13, 2023. — Picture by Israel Defence Forces/Handout through eNM
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The two telecoms corporations in Gaza stated all power sources supplying the community had run out and due to this fact all providers within the territory have been down. Israel refuses gas imports, saying Hamas may use them for navy functions.
With communications in and out the absence of gas, the UN company for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, stated it was unattainable to coordinate humanitarian aid truck convoys.
“If the gas doesn’t are available, folks will begin to die due to the shortage of gas. Exactly as from when, I don’t know. But will probably be sooner reasonably than later,” stated UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini.
As of late final night time, there was no additional phrase from the businesses, Paltel and Jawwal, whose web, cell phone and landline networks remained inoperable.
Palestinian civilians have borne the brunt of Israel’s weeks-long navy marketing campaign in retaliation for an October 7 assault by Hamas that Israel says killed 1,200 folks, principally civilians.
Gaza well being authorities deemed dependable by the United Nations say at least 11,500 folks have been confirmed killed in an Israeli bombardment and floor invasion — greater than 4,700 of them kids.
The Israeli navy’s chief of employees stated Israel was near destroying Hamas’ navy system within the northern Gaza Strip and there have been indicators the military was taking its marketing campaign to different elements of the enclave of two.3 million folks.
Israel distributed pamphlets telling civilians to go away 4 cities in southern Gaza, areas Gazans had been beforehand informed could be protected.
Gaza hospitals at crux of world debate
Israeli officers stated Hamas held a number of the 240 hostages taken by gunmen on October 7 within the hospital complicated. The physique of a girl hostage was recovered by troops in a constructing close to Al Shifa yesterday, the military stated.
Military tools together with Kalashnikov rifles and rocket-propelled grenades have been additionally found within the constructing, it stated.
Human Rights Watch stated hospitals have particular protections beneath worldwide humanitarian legislation.
“Hospitals solely lose these protections if it may be proven that dangerous acts have been carried out from the premises,” the watchdog’s UN Director Louis Charbonneau stated.
EU international coverage chief Josep Borrell, on his first go to to Israel for the reason that October 7 Hamas assault, known as on Israel to do extra to guard civilians in Gaza.
“I perceive your rage however let me ask you to not be consumed by rage,” Borrell stated. Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen stated Hamas was responsible not just for the October 7 assault but in addition for the present plight of Palestinians in Gaza. — eNM
