Officials from the White House National Security Council say that Hamas and Islamic Jihad have been using hospitals in the Gaza Strip to shelter attacks, hold people hostage, and support militant activity. The claim comes from John Kirby, the Strategic Communications Coordinator for the NSC, and was reported by TASS. The United States says it has information indicating that Palestinian groups are leveraging hospitals in Gaza, including the Al-Shifa medical complex, and the tunnels beneath them to conceal operations, provide support, and keep captives. These assertions stress the perceived link between civilian medical facilities and militant operations, a point repeatedly raised by Washington to illustrate the human costs of the conflict.
In related diplomacy, Indonesian President Joko Widodo met with U.S. President Joe Biden, and Jakarta has pressed Washington to intensify efforts to stop the escalation and the humanitarian toll in Gaza. The meeting underscores a broader international demand for more robust international engagement to address the ongoing violence and its regional impact.
The current crisis followed a large-scale assault on Israel on October 7, when Hamas launched Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, triggering a declared state of war by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The event marked a dramatic shift in the regional conflict, drawing widespread international attention and sparking urgent calls for civilian protection and de-escalation.
Israel’s stated aim in its response, framed as Operation Iron Sword, has been to repel the initial incursion, secure the release of more than 200 hostages—including foreign nationals—and dismantle Hamas. In the days that followed, Israel commenced extensive airstrikes on the Gaza Strip. Simultaneously, the Israeli National Security Council decided to curb the flow of water, food, goods, electricity, and fuel into Gaza to pressure Hamas and position humanitarian relief within a constrained corridor. Humanitarian shipments began through the Rafah crossing after October 20, but officials warned that the volume remained insufficient to meet demand.
By October 27, Israel announced an expansion of its ground operation in Gaza. The timing of the full-scale ground push remained unclear, but many Palestinians had already fled their homes to shelters or southern areas. On November 5, Israeli forces surrounded Gaza City and cut off supplies in the central Gaza Strip, while pockets elsewhere reportedly continued fighting. The evolving battlefield dynamic raised concerns about civilian safety and the ability of humanitarian aid to reach those in need.
Ben-Gvir, a former Israeli National Security Minister with a far-right stance, stated that sending “hundreds of tons of explosives” and even large quantities of humanitarian aid would be insufficient until civilian hostages are released. His comment highlights the intense political rhetoric surrounding negotiations for hostage releases and the broader strategy for dealing with Hamas.