A senior White House official reported that Hamas has taken advantage of the evacuation of foreign citizens from the Gaza Strip to attempt to smuggle out its terrorist fighters, according to the New York Post.
Since the conflict between Hamas and Israel began, the terrorist group has put up obstacles to prevent thousands of foreign citizens, including around 500 American citizens, from leaving the Gaza Strip.
Initially, Hamas simply refused to allow anyone to leave. However, the terrorist group later agreed to let foreigners go on the condition that wounded Palestinians could also leave. Although Hamas’ request seemed reasonable, when the list provided by the terrorist group was evaluated, it was discovered that about a third of the injured Palestinians were actually members of the terrorist group.
Hamas hoped to be able to transport its wounded fighters in ambulances through the Rafah border crossing, which was “unacceptable” to both Israel, Egypt and the United States.
Hamas trying to smuggle wounded terrorists out of Gaza delaying exit of foreign nationals, Biden admin says https://t.co/5FqMmR3Zal pic.twitter.com/TjJgd2jgYX
— New York Post (@nypost) November 4, 2023
IDF neutralizes Hamas members in ambulance
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported on Friday that it identified and neutralized a Hamas terrorist cell that was using an emergency vehicle to conduct operations inside Gaza.
“An IDF aircraft struck and neutralized the Hamas terrorists, who were operating within the ambulance,” reads the statement published by the Israeli authorities through X.
Israel has also repeatedly denounced that Hamas’ strategy is to camouflage and locate itself in spaces such as hospitals, schools, mosques and even civilian residences to avoid being attacked. In fact, according to the IDF, the main headquarters of the Palestinian terrorist group is located right below the largest hospital in Gaza.
The Shifa Hospital is not only the largest hospital in Gaza but it also acts as the main headquarters for Hamas' terrorist activity.
Terrorism does not belong in a hospital and the IDF will operate to uncover any terrorist infrastructure. pic.twitter.com/Ybpln5xQb2
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 27, 2023
