The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have released video footage showcasing the inside of a tunnel system utilized by Hamas terrorists. The tunnels are connected to a hospital where the militants conducted their operations. Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the IDF spokesman, features in the video, standing in front of the house of a senior terrorist who led the attacks into Israel. This house is located next to a school and approximately 200 yards away from a hospital.
Hagari proceeds to demonstrate an operational tunnel, displaying electrical wires extending about 20 meters into the tunnel, which ultimately leads to a bulletproof and explosive-proof door. The intention behind this video is to present “clear evidence” that the tunnels are connected to the Rantisi hospital, which Hamas utilized as a base. The camera crew is led into the tunnel and then to the hospital, where evidence of Hamas operations is discovered.
Hagari states, “We are now in the area of the basement of the hospital. I want to show you a room where we found all the gear, the operational gear of Hamas. Look at what Hamas is holding inside the hospital. I want you to understand, this kind of gear is gear for a major fight.” The gear mentioned by Hagari includes hand grenades, explosives-packed vests, and rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs).
The video also reveals a motorcycle found in the basement of the hospital, which had a bullet hole. Hagari suggests that this motorcycle was used in an invasion carried out by Hamas terrorists on October 7, although further investigation is still ongoing. In close proximity to the motorcycle, a chair with women’s clothing and a rope tied to its legs is discovered. Above the chair sits a baby bottle on a metal box with a World Health Organization sign.
IDF officials suspect that this space was utilized to hold hostages. Hagari points out diapers in the basement area, as well as an improvised ventilation system, toilets, a shower, a small kitchen, and a hideout for hostages. Curtains cover a wall made of cinder blocks, which Hagari states would only be necessary if hostages were being filmed. He then shows a list written in Arabic, claiming that it is a roster for the operation against Israel. He explains, “This is a guardian list where every terrorist writes his name and every terrorist has his own shift, guarding the people that were here.”
This video release follows criticism of mainstream media outlets for running with Hamas’ claim that Israel was responsible for an explosion at the al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza City. It was later determined that Hamas had fired missiles from Gaza, and one missile had gone astray, striking near the hospital. This revelation discredited claims of a direct hit on the facility. Hamas has also faced accusations of using civilians as shields, hiding among the population and wearing civilian clothing during their attacks.
