In a shocking development, the Israeli Army has released footage purporting to show hostages inside Gaza's Al-Shifa hospital on October 7. The videos, which seem to be from the morning when Hamas militants initiated a surprise attack in southern Israel, depict individuals being brought into the hospital, allegedly kidnapped during the incursion.
According to the Israeli military, the CCTV footage, time-stamped between 10:42 a.m and 11:01 a.m, captures the grim scene where hostages, including a Nepalese civilian and a Thai civilian, are seen surrounded by armed Hamas operatives. One of the hostages appears to be injured and is being carried on a hospital bed, while the other is seen walking.
The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) posted on social media, stating, "EXPOSED: This is documentation from Shifa Hospital from the day of the massacre, October 7, 2023, in which hostages were abducted from Israeli territory and are seen surrounded by armed Hamas terrorists." The IDF claims that these findings provide evidence that the Shifa Hospital complex was used by Hamas as terrorist infrastructure on that fateful day.
Al-Shifa Hospital, Gaza's largest medical facility, has become a focal point for Israel's military operations in the region. The IDF has repeatedly asserted that Hamas utilizes the hospital as a base, a claim that has been met with denials from both Hamas and medical staff, who reject allegations of a command center being located under the hospital.
The release of this footage adds a new layer of complexity to the ongoing conflict, raising questions about the use of civilian infrastructure for military purposes. If verified, it would underscore the challenges faced by civilians caught in the crossfire and the potential violations of international humanitarian law.
The CCTV footage reportedly corresponds to the same day when Hamas gunmen initiated an attack in southern Israel, resulting in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and the kidnapping of around 240 others, according to Israeli authorities. In response, Israel has continued its military campaign, with officials in the Hamas-run territory claiming a devastating toll of 13,000 lives, predominantly civilians, due to relentless airstrikes, land operations, and naval bombardments.
As the international community closely monitors these developments, calls for an independent investigation into the events surrounding Al-Shifa Hospital on October 7 are likely to intensify. The conflicting narratives from the involved parties make it crucial to establish the veracity of the footage and the circumstances surrounding the alleged use of the hospital for military purposes. The implications of such allegations extend beyond the immediate conflict, influencing perceptions of the parties involved and shaping potential future actions on the international stage.
EXPOSED: This is documentation from Shifa Hospital from the day of the massacre, October 7, 2023, between the hours of 10:42 a.m and 11:01 a.m. in which hostages, a Nepalese civilian and a Thai civilian, were abducted from Israeli territory are seen surrounded by armed Hamas… pic.twitter.com/a5udjBw4wF
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) November 19, 2023
