Israeli Military Uncovers Evidence of Hostage Situation in Gaza Hospital

JERUSALEM, Nov 13 (Reuters) – The Israeli military shared video and photographs on Monday showing what it said were weapons stored by Hamas in the basement of a children’s hospital in Gaza where it also said hostages appear to have been held.

Military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said troops had found a command centre with an armoury of weapons including grenades, suicide vests and other explosives stored by Hamas fighters in the basement of Rantissi Hospital, a paediatric hospital with a specialty in treating cancer patients.

“And we also found signs that indicate that Hamas held hostages here,” he told a televised briefing. “This is currently under our investigation. But we also have intelligence that verifies it.”

He showed footage of what appeared to be rudimentary living quarters, including a small kitchen, as well as a nearby tunnel shaft which he said led to ​​the house of a senior Hamas naval commander.

“Hamas took all this area under its control and conducted its war against Israelis from this hospital,” he said.

In addition, troops found a motorcycle with gunshot marks which he said appeared to have been used to bring hostages to Gaza after the surprise attack on Oct. 7 when Hamas gunmen stormed into southern Israel, killing some 1,200 people and seizing around 240 captives, according to Israeli authorities.