Israel: Hamas Terrorists Base Operations from Southern Gaza Hospitals

Latest Developments

Hamas terrorists are operating from inside two hospitals in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on January 26. The facilities include the al-Amal and Nasser hospitals. Terrorists also launched a rocket from within the Nasser Hospital compound, the IDF said on January 16. Hamas has used hospitals throughout Gaza for terrorist activities. The IDF previously found a tunnel under Shifa hospital in Gaza City, with U.S. intelligence assessing that Hamas used the facility as a command center. 

Expert Analysis

“Hamas is using hospitals in Khan Younis to shield its activities as it tries to avoid defeat in the southern Gaza city. Hamas has systematically exploited civilian areas in Gaza to hide munitions, dig tunnels, and build up terrorist infrastructure. It is essential that the international community hold Hamas accountable for its exploitation and abuse of health facilities in Gaza.” — Seth J. Frantzman, FDD Adjunct Fellow

“To ensure their survival, terrorist groups such as Hamas have strategically placed their military infrastructure within populated areas of Gaza to avoid Israeli strikes. As a result, terrorists will continue to carry out their activities from hospitals and other civilian areas. This strategy puts innocent lives at risk, making it a challenging situation for Israel to navigate.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst at FDD’s Long War Journal

Israel Speaks With Medical Staff in Gaza

Israeli forces are liaising with hospital directors and medical staff, the IDF said on January 26. This comes as the IDF continues to encircle Hamas in Khan Younis. By speaking with the hospitals, the IDF said that it is ensuring “that the hospitals can remain operational and accessible. The IDF communicated that there is no obligation to evacuate the hospitals.”

A corridor has been established for people to evacuate from areas near the hospital and head west toward a humanitarian zone. “The IDF has been communicating this information in Arabic via media channels, distributing flyers in Arabic in the area, as well as through Arabic-speaking IDF soldiers who are deployed on the ground in Gaza in order to liaise with the local population,” the IDF said. It also said that it has made sure that the hospitals have fuel and supplies to continue to function. Israel said it released these details to confront “blatant misinformation” claiming that the hospitals in Khan Younis are under siege.

Related Analysis

“Freed Israeli Hostage Says She Met Hamas Leader in Captivity,” FDD Flash Brief

“Israel Increases Pressure on Hamas Terrorists in Khan Younis,” FDD Flash Brief

“10 Things to Know About Hamas and Hospitals,” FDD Flash Brief