Following the devastating Hamas attacks on October 7, the Israeli military has published footage purportedly showing the transfer of hostages into Gaza’s main hospital.
One of them, a soldier, was killed there, according to a military spokesman.
He said that Cpl Noa Marciano, 19, died after being admitted to al-Shifa hospital with minor wounds.
Israel announced the discovery of a tunnel at the location it claims to be a Hamas command hub. It is denied by Hamas.
The footage was shown at a press conference held by the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) on Sunday, but the BBC was unable to confirm its authenticity.
IDF chief spokesperson Rear Adm Daniel Hagari informed reporters, “This morning we updated Noa’s family that according to our findings, she was kidnapped to a safe house near Shifa.”
“The Hamas terrorist holding Noa was killed during IDF airstrikes in the vicinity, and she sustained minor injuries from the hit but nothing life-threatening. After Noa was brought into Shifa Hospital, a second Hamas terrorist killed her.”
In the past, Hamas has asserted that Ms. Marciano perished in an Israeli airstrike, which the IDF claims happened on November 9.
Then, Rear Adm. Hagari showed CCTV footage he claimed was from the early hours of October 7, the day Hamas carried out its surprise onslaught on southern Israel, killing 1,200 Israelis and taking over 240 hostages.
The largest and most advanced hospital in Gaza was shown in the video being used to transport two hostages.
There are individuals with guns in the CCTV footage, which was taken on October 7th. While the other hostage is depicted on a stretcher, one appears to be resisting.
There has been pressure on the IDF to provide evidence supporting its allegation that Hamas ran a large-scale command structure beneath the enormous medical facility in the northern part of the region.
READ ALSO: IDF: Footage reveals Hamas tunnel located under al-Shifa
In response to the video that Israel had released, the Gaza health ministry, which is operated by Hamas, stated that it was unable to verify the veracity of the tape.
The ministry further stated that Israel was solely to blame for the decline and collapse of Gaza’s healthcare system.
The IDF earlier unveiled a video purporting to depict a 55-meter tunnel that begins 10 metres (33 feet) below ground and ends at a locked, reinforced door.
Several structures in the hospital complex have been “used by Hamas as cover for terrorist infrastructure and activities,” according to the evidence that “clearly proves” this.
The most recent video does not yet provide the kind of extensive and complex operation that the simulation portrays.
According to US intelligence, Hamas has reportedly exploited hospitals in the Gaza Strip, particularly al-Shifa, as weapons storage facilities and command centres.
Israel has claimed that the complex has a significant headquarters, supported by US intelligence; nevertheless, the term “node” may refer to a lesser operation.
Israel is eager to present evidence when it becomes available and is certain that it is assembling a strong case.
A computer simulation of what the IDF believes any underground Hamas stronghold at al-Shifa could look like, complete with a variety of chambers, was previously made public.
Although Israel’s allies have backed the military response operation, which it claims is intended to destroy Hamas, they have shown great concern about the impact the offensive is having on civilians.
According to the health ministry administered by Hamas, 12,300 people have died in Gaza since then. It’s thought that at than 2,000 individuals are buried beneath the debris.
The families of the hostages are putting pressure on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration. They want more action from him to release those detained by Hamas.
Protesters walking from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem on Saturday demanded that the Israeli government make obtaining the release of hostages a top priority. They then staged a demonstration outside of Benjamin Netanyahu’s home.
But the prime minister doesn’t seem to be giving up on his goal.
According to him, the first objective of the war is to destroy Hamas; the second is to free the captives; and the third is to end Gaza’s menace.
BBC
