IDF discovers secret Hamas command center beneath Gaza hospital, confirms death of Mohammed Sinwar in underground complex, reigniting debate about the use of civilian facilities in the ongoing conflict.
At a Glance
- Israeli forces revealed an extensive tunnel network beneath the European Gaza Hospital, where they found the body of Hamas military chief Mohammed Sinwar.
- The tunnel complex served as a major Hamas command and control center located directly under the hospital’s emergency room.
- The discovery confirms Israel’s claims that Hamas uses civilian infrastructure like hospitals for military purposes.
- Mohammed Sinwar was the brother of Yahya Sinwar, a key architect of the October 2023 attack on Israel.
- The New York Times acknowledged the tunnel’s existence after initially questioning it, highlighting the polarized narratives in the conflict.
Tunnel Discovery Confirms Israeli Claims
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has released footage showing an underground tunnel network beneath the European Gaza Hospital in southern Gaza. The revelation comes as Israeli forces confirmed they recovered the body of Mohammed Sinwar, a senior Hamas leader in Gaza and brother of Yahya Sinwar, from the complex. Military officials described the underground facility as a major command and control compound for Hamas, strategically positioned directly beneath the hospital’s emergency room.
Brigadier General Effie Defrin of the IDF explained the significance of the discovery during a tour provided to foreign reporters. “This is another example of the cynical use by Hamas, using civilians as human shields, using civilian infrastructure, hospitals, again and again,” Defrin stated. The military operation carefully targeted the tunnel network while attempting to minimize damage to the hospital’s functions, according to Israeli officials.
EXCLUSIVE RAW FOOTAGE: Watch IDF Spokesperson RAdm. Daniel Hagari walk through one of Hamas' subterranean terrorist tunnels—only to exit in Gaza's Rantisi hospital on the other side.
Inside these tunnels, Hamas terrorists hide, operate and hold Israeli hostages against their… pic.twitter.com/Nx4lVrvSXH
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) November 13, 2023
High-Value Target Eliminated
The Israeli military confirmed through DNA evidence that they had killed Mohammed Sinwar, whose death was previously announced by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. “We found underneath the hospital, right under the emergency room, a compound of a few rooms. In one of them we found, we killed Mohammed Sinwar,” Brigadier General Defrin confirmed. Alongside Sinwar, the body of Mohammad Shabana, commander of the Rafah Brigade and a specialist in tunnel construction, was also recovered.
“We will dismantle Hamas because we cannot live with this terror organization right in our backyard, right across our border,” stated Brigadier General Effie Defrin.
The raid also yielded weapons, ammunition, cash, and documents that Israeli forces are analyzing for intelligence purposes. Mohammed Sinwar had been a primary target for Israeli forces due to his senior position in Hamas’s military wing and his involvement in the October 7, 2023 attacks that triggered the current conflict. His brother Yahya remains at large and is considered one of Israel’s most wanted targets.
Media Coverage Reflects Divided Narratives
The New York Times, which initially cast doubt on Israeli claims about tunnels beneath the hospital, has now confirmed the existence of the Hamas-operated tunnel. Their reporting framed the discovery as “one of the war’s biggest Rorschach tests,” highlighting how the same facts can be interpreted differently depending on perspective. For Israelis, the tunnel represents evidence of Hamas’s disregard for civilian safety, while Palestinians view Israel’s military operations near hospitals as violations of humanitarian principles.
This discovery adds to a growing body of evidence that Hamas has systematically used civilian infrastructure, including hospitals and UN facilities, to shield military operations. The strategy presents Israel with complex ethical and tactical challenges as it attempts to dismantle Hamas’s capabilities while minimizing civilian casualties. The ongoing conflict has resulted in over 54,000 Palestinian deaths according to some estimates, with the UN warning of famine risks for Gaza’s population.
Strategic Implications
The discovery of the tunnel network beneath the European Gaza Hospital represents a significant intelligence and tactical victory for Israeli forces. It validates Israel’s consistent claims that Hamas embeds its military infrastructure within civilian facilities, a strategy that complicates Israel’s military operations and international standing. The elimination of Mohammed Sinwar removes a key operational leader from Hamas’s command structure at a critical juncture in the conflict.
As Israel continues its operations in Gaza, the discovery is likely to influence both military strategy and international discourse about the conflict. The tunnel’s location beneath a hospital’s emergency room provides Israel with concrete evidence to counter criticism of its operations near medical facilities. For Hamas, the loss of both a senior leader and a significant command center may impact their operational capabilities as the conflict approaches its ninth month with no clear resolution in sight.
