Security establishment source: Hamas uses hospitals for military purposes - and prepares for fighting
A security establishment source expressed concern over signs that Hamas is preparing to return to fighting in the Gaza Strip, while increasingly using hospitals for military purposes. According to the source, Hamas operatives are hiding in hospitals and concealing weapons, and are even reducing operating hours to operate freely. The source did not specify which hospitals are involved or the extent of the weapons.
A security establishment source expressed concern over signs that Hamas is preparing to return to fighting in the Gaza Strip, while increasingly using hospitals for military purposes. The remarks were published this morning (Sunday) on the program "This Morning" on Kan News on Reshet Bet. According to the source, Hamas operatives are hiding in hospitals and concealing weapons. The source claims that the use of medical institutions is not limited to hiding weapons and operatives, but also includes reducing hospital operating hours to allow the organization's operatives to operate freely within them. Such use could endanger patients and medical staff, and further complicate military operations against the organization's members. The concern arising from these remarks is that Hamas is exploiting the most sensitive civilian space to hide its men and weapons and prepare for another confrontation. However, the source did not specify which hospitals are involved, the extent of the weapons hidden in them, or the timeframe in which Hamas might attempt to resume fighting. Last week, former senior Shin Bet official Naomi Neumann said in an interview with Kan News on Reshet Bet that even after three years of war, Hamas demonstrates effective control over the Gaza Strip. "The Palestinian public encounters Hamas every day, so as far as they are concerned, Hamas is here to stay," she explained. Neumann added that "Hamas imposes heavy taxes on goods entering the Strip, generating revenues of two to five million dollars a day."