Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman Peter Lerner demanded an apology from the British broadcaster BBC for reports claiming that there was no evidence that the Al-Shifa hospital in the Gaza Strip was used by militants of the radical Palestinian movement Hamas. A recording of the conversation was published on the IDF page on the social network X.
He stated that during the raids, the Israeli army found a 50-meter tunnel with a reinforced armored door under the hospital, as well as firearms, communications equipment and a hand-held anti-tank grenade launcher.
“We expect the World Health Organization to condemn this… Will the BBC World Service apologize? Will Jeremy Bowen tell me I’m wrong? Lerner wondered.
Last week BBC editor Bowen said he doubted the Israeli army had evidence that Al-Shifa Hospital was a Hamas headquarters. He also noted that journalists allegedly could not move freely in the Gaza Strip and those there had to work under the supervision of the Israeli Armed Forces.
The situation in the Middle East escalated after thousands of Hamas militants infiltrated Israel from the Gaza Strip on October 7, when Hamas announced the launch of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announcedthat the country is at war.
The aim of Israel’s response to Operation Iron Sword was to repel the attack, release more than 200 hostages, including foreigners, and destroy Hamas. In order to achieve this goal, Israel launched major rocket attacks on the Gaza Strip from the first day of the operation. At the same time, the Israeli National Security Council decided to stop the supply of water, food, goods, electricity and fuel to the sector. Humanitarian aid shipments to Gaza began to be sent through the Rafah checkpoint only after October 20, and it was stated that their volume was insufficient.
27 October Israel announced About the “expansion” of the ground operation in Gaza. It is not known exactly when the operation started, but before the operation, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians fled their homes and moved to shelters and the south of the region. November 5, as part of the ground operation of IDF forces surrounded Gaza city and supplies cut off, still exists in central Gaza to continue fights.
Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu promised to destroy It is Hamas.
Source: Gazeta
Barbara Dickson is a seasoned writer for “Social Bites”. She keeps readers informed on the latest news and trends, providing in-depth coverage and analysis on a variety of topics.