Shifa Hospital Director, Mohammad Abu Salmiya

Report: IDF Forces Arrest Al Shifa Hospital Director & Staff

Details
The Judean Staff
National

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) apprehended Mohammad Abu Salmiya, the director of Gaza's Shifa Medical Complex, along with several medical staff members. This operation occurred during a night raid, as reported by Palestinian sources. The information has not been corroborated by Israeli officials as of yet. 

The Gaza Ministry of Health, which is governed by Hamas and has been its mouthpiece during this conflict, has since issued appeals to the United Nations and the World Health Organization, urging them to intervene for the release of the hospital's director. Both agencies have been highly critical of Israel's bombardment of Gaza despite overwhelming evidence showing that WHO and UN infrastructure were used by Hamas. The agencies complicity in Hamas's reign and terror activity is still unknown.

According to Ashraf Al Qudra, a spokesperson for the Hamas-led Gaza Health Ministry, the arrest of Abu Salmiya and the medical personnel by the Israeli forces is viewed as an egregious act. He labeled the incident as a crime against humanity and a form of terrorism directed at Gaza’s healthcare system and its workers, who have been operating under challenging conditions for over a month. It is worth noting that based on video evidence, many hospital staff were aware of the usage by Hamas of hospital infrastructure.

The situation at Al Shifa Hospital has been a pivotal point in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. The conflict escalated when Hamas militants infiltrated Israel on October 7, resulting in approximately 1,200 casualties and the taking of around 240 hostages. Israeli authorities released CCTV footage indicating that hostages were taken into the hospital, with some hospital staff appearing to assist the militants.

Israeli officials have not confirmed the arrest of the hospital director and several doctors by military intelligence. Questioned this morning, though, Lieutenant Colonel (Res) Peter Lerner, of the IDF spokespersons unit has said that based on the information revealed yesterday, it would make sense that he has to be questioned. The director, who had previously denied any involvement of Hamas at the hospital, was implicated when evidence surfaced showing hostages being held and allegedly killed within the hospital premises.

A recent video by the IDF showcased a sophisticated tunnel network underneath the hospital's Qatari building, believed to be used by Hamas. This tunnel, equipped with amenities like water and electricity supplied by the hospital, was first detected by IDF engineers who noticed air conditioning pipes leading underground.

An Israeli military source informed the left-leaning Israeli newspaper Haaretz that Abu Salmiya was detained while traversing the “humanitarian corridor” towards southern Gaza. The IDF has been conducting thorough inspections of the hospital for Hamas infrastructure, resulting in the evacuation of patients and locals. In some cases, critically ill patients remain under the care of hospital staff.

Palestinian media reported that Israeli forces recently surrounded and attacked areas near the hospital, where approximately 1,500 individuals, including patients and staff, were sheltering. However, these reports are now under scrutiny, particularly after revelations of Hamas activities at Shifa and the presence of hostages.

Israel has consistently accused Hamas of exploiting the medical facility as a cover for its operations. The discovery of the tunnel network under the Qatari building has substantiated these claims. Despite ongoing skirmishes near the hospital, the Israeli army maintains control over the area.

The conflict has also affected other medical facilities in Gaza. The director-general of Gaza’s Health Ministry, Munir Al Bursh, stated that the Israeli army issued an evacuation warning to the Indonesian Hospital. Despite this, medical personnel at the hospital have resolved to stay with their patients, fearing for their safety should they leave.

In a separate incident, the IDF's investigation into the tunnel under Shifa revealed signs of a former Hamas command center. The city of Khan Younis, known to be a Hamas stronghold, has recently come under scrutiny as being where the Hamas leaders fled to after former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert identified it as the group's headquarters. Yahya Sinwar, the military chief of Hamas, has his roots in this city, further highlighting its strategic importance to the group.

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