In a recent incident, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) targeted an ambulance in Gaza that was found to be transporting Hamas terrorists, which is a violation of international rules of war. The IDF stated that they struck and neutralized the terrorists who were operating within the ambulance. They emphasized that the area in Gaza is a war zone and civilians are repeatedly urged to evacuate for their own safety.
The ambulance was targeted outside Gaza City's Al-Shifa Hospital, where Hamas reportedly has an underground command center. It was also reported that Hamas was using the hospital to gather large crowds of people, effectively using them as human shields to watch their terrorists carry out attacks on Israeli soldiers in northern Gaza.
According to a top Biden administration official, Hamas attempted to smuggle its wounded fighters out of Gaza using ambulances intended for civilians. Hamas has a history of using ambulances in its terrorist activities. The official stated that a list of wounded fighters was compiled by Hamas, but it was rejected as a third of the names were identified as Hamas fighters. Ultimately, none of the 76 Palestinians who were evacuated in ambulances were members of the terror group.
Israeli officials also revealed that oxygen concentrators, which are used to aerate the tunnels Hamas uses, were being smuggled into Gaza on aid trucks. Palestinian officials have even admitted to using ambulances to conceal their movements, and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas stated in 2009 that Hamas' leaders do not care about the well-being of Gaza and fled to Sinai in ambulances, leaving their people behind.
It is important to note that these incidents highlight the complexities and challenges faced in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. The use of ambulances for military purposes is a violation of international laws of war, and the IDF's response to neutralize the Hamas terrorists reflects their commitment to maintaining security in the region. However, the use of civilians as human shields and the smuggling of aid for terrorist activities also raises concerns about the actions of Hamas. It is crucial to seek a peaceful resolution to the conflict and ensure the safety and well-being of all civilians involved.