Israel Apprehends Hamas Terrorists Barricaded in Northern Gaza Hospital

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The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced that its forces apprehended approximately 100 terrorists embedded in the Kamal Adwan Hospital in the north Gazan city of Jabalya, according to a statement on the operation on October 28. The operation began on October 25 after the IDF noted that “a number of terrorists — including Hamas terrorists who took part in the October 7th Massacre — had barricaded themselves inside the hospital.” Before launching the operation, the IDF enabled civilians to leave the hospital. Some of the terrorists attempted to escape while the civilians were being evacuated but were apprehended by the IDF. Forty terrorists were caught while trying to flee, while the rest were detained inside the building. Another 20 terrorists were killed in fighting in the surrounding area.

The IDF said it had ensured that essential hospital systems remained operational during the operation, with the Gaza Coordination and Liaison Administration — which is responsible for implementing Israel’s policy in the Gaza Strip towards civilians — working with the hospital to activate an additional generator to ensure that electricity was available to provide oxygen supply to patients. Inside the hospital and surrounding area, meanwhile, the IDF discovered “weapons, terror funds, and intelligence documents.”

In an interrogation video released by the IDF, a man identified as an ambulance driver at Kamal Adwan and Al-Ahli hospitals, who was detained on suspicion of terrorist involvement, said that Hamas terrorists were present at the hospital, including “in the courtyards, at the gates of the buildings, in the offices.” He also confirmed that Hamas uses Gazan ambulances to transport their fighters to and from their missions instead of having them serve civilians.

“We, the public in the northern Gaza Strip, are sick of this situation,” he said. “We have had enough; they are stationed in the hospitals, stationed in the schools.”

The operation was part of the IDF’s broader renewed push in northern Gaza, which began in early October, to weed out remaining Hamas terrorists whom it believes were trying to regroup. It also highlighted the terrorists’ tactic of embedding themselves within sensitive civilian infrastructure to raise the risk of high civilian casualties, thereby maximizing international outrage at Israel’s military operations.

Expert Analysis

“Hamas continues to cowardly hide behind Gaza’s most vulnerable. The Gaza terrorists have repeatedly exploited schools, humanitarian areas, and hospitals to shield their activities. One year into the war, the world should be well familiar with this Hamas tactic: it is a feature of the terror organization, not a bug.” — Enia Krivine, Senior Director of FDD’s Israel Program and National Security Network

“The IDF apprehended dozens of suspected terrorists in and around the Kamal Adwan Hospital, where it also found weapons. This is the second time Hamas terrorists have sought to hide at the hospital, where more than 70 terrorists were discovered in December 2023. This illustrates once again how Hamas has systematically used hospitals in Gaza for cover.” — Seth J. Frantzman, FDD Adjunct Fellow

“Hamas and its allies are demonstrating a willingness to adopt any tactic necessary to shield themselves from Israeli forces. Effectively, Hamas and other terrorist organizations are signaling that they will safeguard their survival at the cost of civilian lives.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst and Editor at FDD’s Long War Journal

Related Analysis

“IDF Raid on Gaza Hospital Captures Largest Number of Terrorists Since War Began,” FDD Flash Brief

“Hundreds of Terrorist Operatives Found at Gaza Hospital,” FDD Flash Brief

“Another Gaza Hospital Evacuated as New York Times Confirms Hamas Use of Al-Shifa,” FDD Flash Brief

“IDF: Hamas Held Hostages at Nasser Hospital,” FDD Flash Brief