IDF Warns Hamas Against Military Activity in Gaza Hospitals

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued a warning to residents of the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, stating that Hamas continues to utilize hospitals and medical facilities for military purposes and terror operations. In a message released in Arabic by IDF spokesperson Captain Ella, it was clarified that if this activity does not cease, the army will be compelled to act against the source of the threat. The IDF claims that Hamas has been exploiting civilian infrastructure throughout the Strip, particularly hospitals and medical facilities, since the beginning of the war to carry out military actions and terror attacks against Israeli civilians and forces. "The terror organization Hamas must cease its terror activity from within civilian infrastructure, including hospitals and medical facilities," the statement read. "If this military activity does not stop, the IDF will be forced to act against the source of the threat." The announcement includes an explicit warning against operating against threats originating from these infrastructures. Addressing Gaza residents directly, the IDF stated that Hamas's use of civilian infrastructure for terror endangers them: "The more Hamas uses civilian infrastructure, including hospitals, for its terror purposes, the more it puts you in danger and exploits you." This warning comes amid earlier reports from Gaza on Tuesday detailing strikes in Gaza City and Khan Younis, including the reported elimination of a Hamas area commander near Al-Shifa Hospital. Concurrently, Defense Minister Israel Katz has instructed the IDF to increase vigilance ahead of Wednesday, the Gregorian anniversary of the October 7th Hamas massacre, due to intelligence regarding the organization's intentions to launch attacks against forces in the Strip.