The Israel Defense Forces reported the destruction of multiple tunnels and underground mines beneath Gaza’s largest medical complex, Al-Shifa Hospital, in a disclosure issued through its ministry’s Telegram channel. The claim centers on the removal of subterranean corridors linked to Hamas facilities, with officials asserting the tunnels enabled access to command centers and other hidden operations beneath the facility.
Earlier statements from the Israeli military described a previously undetected tunnel connected to Al-Shifa that measured about 55 meters in length. According to the account, the tunnel was accessible via a stairwell that led to a reinforced blast-protected door, designed to withstand explosive forces. Military spokespeople describe the passage as part of a broader network intended to facilitate movement between the hospital site and underground Hamas installations.
In conjunction with these reports, the IDF alleged that special doors and reinforced access points within the tunnels were installed to shield entrances from detection and attack, suggesting a strategic use of hospital grounds for military purposes. The claims underscore the perception by Israeli authorities that medical facilities have been used in some instances to shield combat operations, a characterization that has drawn significant international attention and concern about civilian safety.
A separate item in the narrative concerned the forcible expulsion of medical staff and patients from Al-Shifa Hospital, with reports that 31 premature newborns were among those evacuated from incubators as part of the operation. Humanitarian observers emphasized the distress created for vulnerable patients and the broader implications for medical care in the area during intense hostilities. Officials in Tel Aviv indicated that the emergency measures were aimed at ensuring security and orderly evacuation under difficult conditions, while critics argued the move jeopardized essential care for civilians seeking shelter and treatment.
In related remarks, Dr. Şakir Samir was reported to have been evacuated from the Gaza Strip. He stated that there were no armed individuals hiding within hospitals in the region, a claim inviting scrutiny from international monitors given the complex and often contested reports emerging from the conflict. The assertion adds to the ongoing debate over hospital safety and the protection of civilians amid fighting, with various voices calling for independent verification and transparent access to affected sites.
Other accounts from observers who previously fled the Gaza Strip painted a broader picture of life in a war zone. These testimonies describe the daily challenges faced by residents and health workers, including disruptions to power, water, and essential services, alongside the difficulties of navigating a landscape marked by shifting control and continuous risk. While such narratives contribute to understanding the human impact, they also intersect with official statements and counterclaims from parties involved in the conflict, underscoring the need for cautious interpretation and reliable verification from independent sources. Community members and aid organizations have repeatedly stressed the critical importance of safeguarding medical facilities and ensuring unimpeded access to care for civilians in crisis conditions. This ongoing discourse reflects the broader international concern over the protection of civilians and the obligation to distinguish between military targets and humanitarian sites in conflict zones. (Attribution: IDF disclosure via Telegram; independent observers and residents who have fled Gaza provide corroborating and supplementary context.)