Hamas denounces US claim that Gaza's main hospital being used as 'command, control node'

GAZA CITY, Palestine

Hamas condemned a statement by the US on Tuesday claiming the group and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) are using Gaza's Al-Shifa Hospital as a "command and control node."

Earlier on Tuesday, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said the US has information "from a variety of intelligence sources" which indicates that Hamas and PIJ are using "some hospitals," including al-Shifa, "and tunnels underneath them to conceal and to support their military operations and to hold hostages."

He pointed in particular to al-Shifa, which he said is where the groups "operate a command and control node."

Hamas said the remarks “represent an American green light for the (Israeli) occupation to commit more brutal massacres against hospitals to destroy the health sector and pressure our people to displace them from their land.”

"We renew our call to the United Nations to form an international committee to tour and inspect all hospitals to determine the falsehood of the narrative of the occupation and its ally Washington, which bears direct responsibility for the genocidal war in the Gaza Strip," it said.

The Palestinian group went on to assert that “hospitals in the Gaza Strip, especially in the north, are constantly targeted by bombing by the Israeli army, which exacerbates the catastrophic situation, especially the siege imposed on hospitals and health centers and the running out of fuel. This led to the death of sick and wounded people, including children.”

Israel has launched relentless air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip since a cross-border attack by Hamas on Oct. 7.

At least 11,320 Palestinians have been killed, including more than 7,750 women and children, and around 29,000 others have been injured, according to the latest figures from Palestinian authorities.

Thousands of buildings including hospitals, mosques and churches have also been damaged or destroyed in Israel's relentless air and ground attacks on the besieged enclave since last month.

The Israeli death toll, meanwhile, stands at 1,200, according to official figures.