White House says Hamas and Islamic Jihad DID hide under hospitals in Gaza, backing up Israeli claims

The White House said Tuesday that US intelligence agencies indicate Hamas fighters used tunnels under hospitals in Gaza to conceal its military operations, amid furious debate over Israel’s bombing campaign and advancing forces.

White House National Security Spokesman John Kirby spoke to reporters from Air Force One about the use of the infamous tunnel network as President Joe Biden headed to San Francisco for the APEC summit.

“With regard to hospitals, I can confirm for you that we have information that Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad are using some hospitals in the Gaza Strip, including Al Shiva, and had tunnels under them, to conceal and support their military operations and to to hold military operations. hostages,” Kirby said.

“Hamas and the members of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (BIJ) operate a command and control hub from Al Shifa in Gaza City,” he said.

“They have weapons stored there and are prepared to respond to an Israeli military operation against that facility.”

He said the information specifically related to Al Shifa, where Israeli forces have advanced just outside the hospital.

Israel’s military says it will let staff and patients leave, while hospital officials say they are desperately short of fuel to operate equipment amid widespread suffering from Israel’s war against Hamas.

“We have information confirming that Hamas is using that specific hospital in a command and control mode,” Kirby said. He said they were probably using the network to store weapons. “That’s a war crime.”

Palestinians injured in Israeli raids arrive at Nasser Medical Hospital in Khan Yunis, Gaza, on November 14, 2023. The White House says Hamas uses tunnels under hospitals for its military

Israeli troops have continued to bombard Gaza for weeks

Israel has long accused Hamas of hiding its forces among civilian targets. Hamas officials have said more than 10,000 people have been killed in Israel’s campaign, although the White House says it cannot verify that number.

An estimated 1,400 people were killed in Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7.

Kirby said the Palestinian groups were prepared to respond to Israeli military operations, with IDF ground forces nearby.

Kirby was not specific about the intelligence methods that produced the information.

He said it was based on “a variety of proprietary intelligence methods,” distinguishing it from information provided by the Israelis.

“I think you understand that we can’t give a lot of granular details on that, we have to protect sources and methods. But we have been able to downgrade some information to bring it to you today, but it comes from a variety of proprietary intelligence methods,” he said.

During his trip to Israel immediately after the attacks, President Biden supported the Israeli government after it said an errant rocket launched by Palestinian Islamic Jihad was responsible for the explosion at another hospital in Gaza.

Biden said it “looks like it was done by the other team, not by you,” in comments to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Kirby laid out a set of markers for what the administration considers acceptable as Israel tries to drive out fighters and free 240 hostages captured in the Hamas attack.

‘To be clear, we are not in favor of bombing a hospital from the air. We don’t want to see a shootout in a hospital where innocent people, helpless people and sick people are simply trying to get the medical care they deserve,” Kirby said.

“We have been clear on multiple occasions: Hamas’ actions do not diminish Israel’s responsibilities to protect civilians in Gaza, and this is something we will continue to have an active conversation about with our colleagues.”

His news update came as Biden prepared to try to focus on economic issues as he met with Asia-Pacific leaders, while also planning a high-stakes conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

The conflict in the Middle East is expected to be a major topic on the sidelines of the conference.

The developments came on a day when President Biden spoke optimistically about an emerging deal to free hostages in Gaza.

“I believe it will happen, but I don’t want to go into details,” he said at the White House before traveling.

The WashingtonPost reported on a possible deal to free women and children held hostage in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian women and children held in Israeli prisons.

Israel wants all 100 women and children released, although Hamas has reportedly indicated it wants to release only 70.