Confirmation Of Detention Of Director Of Al Shifa Hospital Gaza, Israeli Military: Hamas Activities In Hospital

Israeli military illustration. (Wikimedia Commons/IDF Spokesperson's Unit)

JAKARTA - The Israeli military (IDF) confirmed they had detained the Director of Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza, Palestine for questioning, following evidence that said there was Hamas activity under the hospital.

Dr. Mohammed Abu Salmiya was previously reported to have been arrested during an evacuation from Al-Shifa Hospital, which was part of a convoy organized by the World Health Organization.

Abu Salmiya was "arrested and transferred for questioning by ISA following evidence indicating that Shifa Hospital, under his direct management, served as Hamas command and control center," the IDF said Thursday in a joint statement with Israel's Security Agency, also known as the Shin Bet. November 23.

The statement said "the tunneling network situation under the hospital built by Hamas also exploits the electricity and resources taken from the hospital. In addition, Hamas has many weapons in the hospital and in the hospital grounds."

"At the hospital, under its management, there was extensive Hamas activity. The findings of his involvement in terrorist activities will determine whether he will be further interrogated by ISA," the statement said.

Earlier, one of the Israeli military officials said Salmiya's arrest was aimed at integrating.

"He constantly denies saying it didn't happen. How could the hospital's General Manager not know the extent of the tunneling system?" said IDF spokesman Lt. Col. Peter Lerner.

"We need to see for sure what he can share with us about his knowledge," he said.

Separately, Hamas, Gaza's Ministry of Health and hospital officials denied Israel's claims, saying hospitals in the Gaza Strip were only used to treat patients.