Gaza Health Ministry Denies Israeli Claims of Militants in Hospitals, Warns of Attacks

The Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday categorically denied Israeli allegations of militants or weapons being stored inside hospitals and health facilities in the territory. The ministry warned that the rehashing of these claims paves the way for targeting the remaining medical facilities, stating that Israel continues to undermine Gaza's health system. In a statement, the ministry asserted that Israeli spokespeople are repeating "a series of false and misleading claims" alleging the presence of armed individuals or weapons within hospitals and health facilities, which it "completely and entirely" refutes. It added that the repetition of these accusations is merely "manufacturing false justifications aimed at covering the Israeli war machine and paving the way to continue undermining and destroying the remaining health infrastructure."

The ministry's statement followed Israeli threats to target what the Israeli army described as a "source of threat," based on claims that Hamas uses hospitals and medical facilities in Gaza for military activities. An Israeli military spokesperson for Arabic media had alleged that Hamas "continues to exploit hospitals and civilian areas for military purposes," threatening that the army would act if activities it claims are occurring within civilian facilities, including hospitals and medical centers, do not cease.

The Ministry of Health stated that the re-emergence of these allegations at this time represents "an exposed attempt to create an media cover and flimsy justifications for the Israeli war machine," warning that they could be used to "continue undermining the remaining health system and attacking the remaining hospitals and medical centers." It emphasized that those inside the hospitals and medical centers still operating are "wounded and sick patients fighting for their lives, and medical and humanitarian staff working with minimal resources and capabilities," under what it described as exceptional and harsh conditions, with a severe shortage of medicines and healthcare supplies.

The ministry further stated that Israel has "not been content with the suffocating siege, preventing the entry of medicine and medical supplies, and obstructing the travel of thousands of wounded and sick people for treatment abroad," but "insists on continuing to pursue healthcare even in its last remaining sanctuaries." It confirmed that the doors of all hospitals and health facilities in Gaza "have been and remain open without exception" to international, UN, human rights, and humanitarian organizations for inspection and verification of the Israeli claims. The ministry added that allowing these entities access to health facilities proves that these facilities only house patients, the wounded, and staff providing medical and humanitarian services.

The Ministry of Health called on the international community and UN and human rights institutions to intervene urgently to provide "effective and direct international protection" for medical personnel and institutions, and to stop "the systematic disinformation policy that legitimizes the shedding of blood of the wounded and medical staff within the remaining treatment locations." Hamas also warned on Tuesday against Israel using the allegations as a pretext to target Gaza's remaining hospitals, stating that the Israeli army is "inciting against Gaza and its remaining partially functioning hospitals" by claiming the movement uses them to store weapons. Hamas denied these claims as "lies and slander," asserting that the hospitals still operating in the Strip are open to international and UN organizations and called on the UN to visit the medical facilities to verify what it described as the "falsity" of the Israeli claims.

These threats come as Gaza's health system has suffered extensive destruction during the "Israeli extermination war," with hospitals and health facilities targeted and most put out of service. The Ministry of Health stated that the health sector is entering its third year under "systematic medical extermination." The destruction of health facilities and the severe shortage of medicines and supplies have led to a significant decline in the ability of remaining facilities to provide treatment, especially for the wounded, cancer patients, and those with chronic illnesses, alongside continued restrictions on patients' travel for treatment outside the Strip. This also occurs amid Israel's continued failure to fulfill obligations under the ceasefire agreement that has been in effect since October 10, 2025, including the full opening of crossings and the entry of agreed-upon quantities of food, relief, medical aid, and fuel. The escalation of Israeli rhetoric towards Gaza also coincides with the approach of the Knesset elections scheduled for October 27 of this month, amid competition between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his opponents, and an escalation in the rhetoric of Netanyahu and his allies regarding Gaza and Palestinians during the election campaign.