Israeli military officials revealed Monday night that its ground forces captured video showing Hamas personnel planting an improvised explosive device near the Indonesian Hospital in the northern Gazan city of Beit Lahia.
“This is another example of the Hamas terror organization’s cynical use of the population and civilian institutions in the Gaza Strip for terror activity in blatant violation of international law,” the statement read.
The footage released with the announcement depicted several people in civilian attire burying the destructive materials in a water cooler near a roadway leading to the medical center. They then connected the munition to an electrical detonation instrument. The remotely triggered mine was reportedly located less than 150 feet from the premises.
This disclosure comes after Israel’s Givati Brigade completed maneuvers in the area last week, which involved confronting insurgents who had garrisoned in the internationally protected structure.
On Friday, a joint operation involving the IDF’s 162nd Division, 401st Armored Brigade, Shayetet 13 commando unit, and the Shin Bet internal security agency led to the capture of 240 militants stationed in the Kamal Adwan Hospital in nearby Jabaliya. Along with the detainees, soldiers seized firearms, ammunition, and military equipment hidden among the patients. The director of the facility, Hussam Abu Safiya, was among those arrested, with suspicions that he is a Hamas operative.
International law mandates the demilitarization of medical infrastructure during conflicts, and any attempt to use such locations for hostile activities will void the protections they are granted.
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