Title: Israeli Military Claims Hamas Tunnel Found under Gaza’s al-Shifa Hospital
In an aggressive raid on Gaza’s al-Shifa Hospital, the Israeli military claims to have uncovered a Hamas tunnel shaft, sparking intense debate and denial from both sides. The operation was launched under the pretext of searching for an alleged underground tunnel system leading to a Hamas military control center.
Israeli and United States intelligence agencies supported the claim, maintaining that Hamas has been operating a control center beneath the hospital. However, Hamas and the medical staff at al-Shifa have categorically denied these allegations, asserting that no such control center exists.
To support its claims, the Israeli military released a 3D animated video showcasing an extensive network of tunnels leading to what they believe is a multi-story control center. The video also included footage of a 55-meter-long tunnel discovered beneath the hospital, along with a vehicle containing weapons. However, some critics argue that the footage seems to have been spliced together from clips of two different tunnels, with one demonstrating typical civil engineering techniques and the other displaying features consistent with Hamas tunnels.
Despite the discovery, Israeli troops have refrained from attempting to open the blast door at the end of the tunnel due to fears of a potential booby-trap. CNN independently confirmed the presence of a tunnel shaft but was unable to establish whether it indeed led to a command center.
The existence of tunnels in Gaza has a long history, initially serving smuggling purposes when they were first built in 1980. However, these tunnels have since been repurposed by groups like Hamas for military operations. Following Hamas’ rise to power in 2007, Israel imposed a blockade on the Gaza Strip, which further encouraged the expansion of Hamas’ use of tunnels for transportation and communication.
It is important to note that Israel has previously made similar claims about hospitals, such as Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Hospital, being utilized by Hamas as military bases. However, these allegations were ultimately disproven.
As tensions remain high in the region, the discovery of a tunnel shaft beneath al-Shifa Hospital has further deepened the animosity between Israel and Hamas. The conflicting versions of events and denials by Hamas and medical staff at al-Shifa highlight the complexity and sensitivity of this situation, leaving both sides locked in a heated debate.
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