Israeli military reveals underground bunker of Hamas militants under Gaza's Shifa hospital

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Shifa Hospital, reported Associated Press. The underground bunker is claimed to be used by Hamas military facility. The military escorted journalists in a 150-metre tunnel to discover a series of underground bunkers underneath Shifa Hospital in a shattered Gaza city accompanied by dozens of soldiers.

There was an air conditioner, kitchen, bathroom, and metal cots in a room made of rusty white tile in the living quarters at the end of the tunnel. It appeared that they were no longer in use. Israel has repeatedly accused Hamas of using Gaza's hospitals as a cover for military operations since it declared war on the Islamic militant group on October 7.

Shifa has received particular attention since Hamas allegedly has bunkers and command centres hidden beneath the sprawling hospital. Despite not yet revealing this purported centre, Israel's military described the underground hideout as its most significant discovery. Israel's accusations have been denied by Hamas and the hospital administration.

"Shifa Hospital is the hugest hospital in Gaza, and it's also the hugest terror facility of Hamas," said Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, the Israeli military's chief spokesman, as bombardment thundered nearby. "Hamas battalion commanders were conducting command and control, firing rockets from here." Hagari's claims could not be independently verified by AP. The Associated Press was allowed access to Gaza as long as its journalists accompanied the Israeli military convoy and submitted all materials to a military censor for review before publication.

The enclave is currently inaccessible to foreign journalists. At least 1,200 people were killed and 240 others were taken hostage by Hamas' October 7 cross-border attack. According to health