Israel Defense Forces ✔

IDF: Hamas’ use of Nasser Hospital as a military headquarters and to hold hostages: The Khan Yunis Brigade Commander targeted in the strike was involved in holding hostages in Hamas captivity during the war, including inside the hospital where he was targeted The terrorist Abu Ismail currently serves as a central figure in the command and management of Hamas' Khan Yunis Brigade, particularly following the elimination of the brigade's commander, Muhammad Yazouri, in early September. Like other hospitals across the Gaza Strip, Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis is used by the Hamas terrorist organization. The hospital’s second floor serves as a Hamas military headquarters, where civilians are not permitted to enter and which is under strict security, as it is used by the terrorist organization’s commanders, including Muhammad Abu Ismail. Throughout the war, dozens of hostages were held captive at Nasser Hospital, many of them from Kibbutz Nahal Oz, including women, children, elderly people, and foreign nationals. Muhammad Abu Ismail was also responsible for holding numerous hostages captive throughout the war, including the hostages: Nimrod Cohen, Matan Zangauker, Edan Alexander, Avera Mengistu, Colonel Asaf Hamami, Staff Sergeant Oz Daniel, and Captain Omer Neutra. Alongside the strike targeting Abu Ismail, additional terrorists who were present in the hospital compound were also struck, including Muared Tawfiq Mahmoud Abu Zarifa, a team leader in the engineering department of the Combat and Administrative Support Company, and Khaled Osama Abu Anza, head of the communications section in the Operations Department of Hamas’ intelligence headquarters. The terrorists were struck in an aerial strike in order to remove the threat they posed, after turning the Nasser Hospital compound into a military headquarters and operating from it to advance dozens of terrorist attack plans against IDF soldiers and rebuild the military capabilities of the Khan Younis Brigade, which had been significantly degraded throughout the war. Prior to the strike, precautionary measures were taken to minimize, to the greatest extent possible, damage to the hospital building and harm to uninvolved civilians. In addition, the strike was specifically directed at the room from which the brigade commander and the other terrorists were conducting military activities. Furthermore, prior to the strike, the IDF warned and demanded on several occasions, including recently, that the military activity at the hospital be halted. Despite the warnings, the military activity at the hospital did not cease. The IDF operates in accordance with international law, strikes military targets only, and respects the special protection afforded to medical facilities and medical personnel and does not target them as such. Security forces are deployed in the area in accordance with the agreement and will continue to operate to remove any threat. Attached is an illustration showing Nasser Hospital and the second floor, which is used for terrorist purposes: https://bit.ly/4BTySZT Attached is a graphic showing Hamas' use of the Nasser Hospital: https://IDFANC.activetrail.biz/ANC1211202664646