On Wednesday, the research institute NGO Monitor shared documents from Hamas’ internal security apparatus, including quotations that describe how the organization embeds its military elements – terrorists and senior officials – in Gaza hospitals, and how international aid organizations were aware of what was occurring. The documents are public and are not classified.

For years, the international community voiced skepticism about claims regarding Hamas’ use of hospitals. In the documents, which are dated February and March 2020, Hamas declares unequivocally that health facilities in Gaza are not neutral zones but instead play a crucial role in its terror network – as assembly points for terrorists, as locations for storing military equipment, and as sites with security and intelligence value. It also comes to light that senior Hamas officials were frequently present at these facilities.

A captured Hamas document saying that “medical facilities are gathering places for many of the leadership of the movement during hostilities” (Screenshot: NGO Monitor)

For example, the documents indicate that Hamas was concerned that “hostile elements” would collect intelligence on medical facilities, given that they “serve as places where the wounded… who hold sensitive positions in the resistance… convene during escalations.” Medical facilities were also designated as “gathering places for many senior officials of the movement (Hamas) and the government during times of escalation.”

The documents mention that the Red Cross “chose (to operate) in the wing adjacent to the movement’s (Hamas) offices inside Shifa Hospital.” Furthermore, it is revealed that Hamas set up a secure communications infrastructure inside hospitals, even within spaces where non-governmental organizations were active. For instance, “Doctors Without Borders France chose (to work) in the only room where there is a (secure) landline that belongs to the activities of the ‘positive’ (a moniker for Hamas’ military wing)… The room is located in Abu Yousef Al-Najjar Hospital (in Rafah),” was written.

It also comes to light that Hamas placed severe limitations on foreign medical delegations to inhibit the exposure of the organization’s use of hospitals. A document notes that “many of the services provided include a security component, and in particular, they relate to injured people… when these wounded individuals are primarily members of the resistance or operatives.” Additionally, it was determined that foreign medical teams would be allowed to operate only in designated, pre-authorized areas. “The Ministry of Health permits medical delegations to move in specific places… but it prohibits movement within the hospital where the delegation is active.”

Hamas also insisted that “work should not be conducted with medical delegations if senior resistance officials are (present), and regarding the simple operatives (of Hamas), caution should be taken.” It was also noted that “(Hamas) medical operatives from Gaza join the incoming delegations, whether they are working in hospitals or in the locations assigned to them.”

This image provided by Maxar Technologies, shows Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, Thursday Oct. 19, 2023 (AP / Satellite image ©2023 Maxar Technologies)

The documents enumerate the names of the non-governmental organizations and international agencies active inside Gaza’s hospitals – and the reality that they function according to Hamas’ directives.

“The evidence disclosed only reinforces what is known to everyone,” stated Prof. Gerald Steinberg, president of NGO Monitor. “These documents expose not only Hamas’ exploitation of hospitals but also the hypocrisy of international organizations. While they echo Hamas’ allegations and condemn Israel’s actions, these organizations were clearly aware that Hamas was exploiting the facilities – and opted to remain silent. To make Gaza’s hospitals safe for all, the code of silence of the UN and the non-governmental organizations must be broken.”