Netanyahu: Hamas headquarters found under clinic
Israeli soldiers have discovered an underground Hamas headquarters under the largest hospital in the Gaza Strip, according to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The armed forces had found a command and control center in the second basement of the Shifa Hospital, he told the US radio station NPR. Terrorists had fled the hospital before the soldiers arrived. The army had also discovered weapons and bombs there.
Israel's army had previously announced that it had also found command and control centers during its operation in the hospital. It was initially unclear whether this was also the Hamas command center suspected to be under the hospital. Hamas denies the existence of such a base under the hospital.
Israeli army spokesman: Hamas spread across hospitals
The Israeli military justified its controversial actions in the Gaza Strip with many Palestinian victims with the structure of Hamas and its "small terror centers" in civilian facilities. For example, two or three of several dozen buildings in a hospital complex were used as terror centers, spread over several floors "and then of course underground", army spokesman Arye Shalicar described the situation on ZDF's "heute journal". "And not in one hospital, of course, but in many hospitals."
In recent weeks, around 10,000 rockets have been fired at Israel from the coastal area. "Where were these rockets fired from? There is not a single military barracks in the Gaza Strip," said Shalicar. The rockets are still being fired from civilian infrastructure such as hospitals, mosques and schools. "If they were firing rockets from military barracks, Hamas would be destroyed in a day." The responsibility for civilian casualties therefore lies solely with the terrorist organization, said Shalicar.
Israeli military: weapons found in kindergarten in Gaza
According to the Israeli armed forces, weapons and ammunition were found in a kindergarten and an elementary school in the Gaza Strip. During the operation in the north of the sealed-off coastal strip, anti-tank rifles, mortar shells and other weapons were seized, the military announced on the news platform X, formerly Twitter.
"Toys should be kept in kindergartens, not lethal weapons," the message said. A video showed a pile of mortar shells, while a photo showed several anti-tank rifles, assault rifles, ammunition and hand grenades.
Netanyahu: Retain "overall military responsibility" for Gaza
In order to prevent a resurgence of terrorists, Israel must retain "overall military responsibility" for the Palestinian coastal area for the foreseeable future after the war in the Gaza Strip, Netanyahu said on US radio station NPR.
Nevertheless, he did not consider it absolutely necessary to keep soldiers there. A civilian government is also needed in the Gaza Strip. However, this government must fight terrorism and not advocate the destruction of Israel.
Bahrain demands prisoner exchange
The Gulf state of Bahrain called on Israel and the Islamist Hamas to exchange prisoners. Hamas should immediately release the children and women kidnapped from Israel, demanded Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad al-Chalifaam. He did not believe that any Arab leader had already called on Hamas to do so. It was therefore time for clear words.
At the same time, the Crown Prince demanded that Israel release female and underage Palestinian prisoners from Israeli prisons. This was necessary to end the conflict and the "intolerable situation" in the Gaza Strip. Bahrain's Prime Minister also strongly condemned the "barbaric" attacks on October 7 and the airstrikes on the Gaza Strip, which had led to the deaths of thousands.
Erdogan with Scholz
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan openly discussed their differences regarding the Gaza war at a meeting in Berlin, but avoided a scandal. While Erdogan condemned the Israeli conduct of the war with many civilian deaths, Scholz emphasized Israel's right to self-defense against Hamas.
The Chancellor defended Israel's right to exist, which Erdogan had questioned before his visit: "Let me make it very clear: Israel's right to exist is irrefutable for us." Erdogan called for a ceasefire in the Gaza war. If Germany and Turkey could achieve such a ceasefire together, there would be a chance to save the region from this "ring of fire", he said.
What will be important today
EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is expected to attend political talks in Egypt and Jordan. Von der Leyen first wants to meet President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Egypt and visit the transshipment point for EU aid deliveries to the Gaza Strip. A meeting with Jordanian King Abdullah II is then planned in Amman. At the same time, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Josep Borrell will travel to Bahrain and Saudi Arabia for political talks.
Ursula von der Leyen, in her upcoming meetings in Egypt and Jordan, might discuss the threatening situation in Gaza, considering the existence of Hamas headquarters and conflict areas within crucial civilian infrastructure such as hospitals and schools. She could emphasize the importance of protecting civilians and ensuring a peaceful resolution to the conflicts involving Benjamin Netanyahu, Hamas, and Israel.
Furthermore, as EU Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen may address the issue of prisoner exchanges between Israel and Hamas, as suggested by Bahrain's Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad al-Khalifa, to promote reconciliation and a more stable Gaza Strip.
Source: www.dpa.com
