shifa hospital – www.israelhayom.com https://www.israelhayom.com israelhayom english website Sun, 12 Oct 2025 16:49:17 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.4.2 https://www.israelhayom.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/cropped-G_rTskDu_400x400-32x32.jpg shifa hospital – www.israelhayom.com https://www.israelhayom.com 32 32 Smoking gun: Hamas' hospital deception https://www.israelhayom.com/2025/09/10/smoking-gun-hamas-hospital-deception/ https://www.israelhayom.com/2025/09/10/smoking-gun-hamas-hospital-deception/#respond Wed, 10 Sep 2025 08:32:34 +0000 https://www.israelhayom.com/?p=1087459 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, […]

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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 parties" would collect intelligence on medical facilities, given that they "serve as places where the wounded... who hold sensitive positions in the resistance... are gathered in during times of escalation." Medical facilities were also designated as "gathering for many commanders of the movement [i.e. Hamas] and the government in times of escalation."

The documents mention that the Red Cross "has chosen [to operate] in a wing inside Al-Shifa Hospital that is adjacent to the [Hamas] movement's offices." 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 (MSF) France chose the only room in Abu Yousef El-Najar Hospital that has a (safe) communication landline which belongs to the positive's activity (a moniker for Hamas' military wing)... in order for MSF to work in it separately," it 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 "much of the services provided have a security aspect to them since these involve people wounded as a result  of the occupation's aggression and burns, mainly resistance members or activists [in Hamas-guided operations]." 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 "medical members [of Hamas] from Gaza will join incoming delegations, whether they work in hospitals and their [NGOs] designated locations"

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 of complicity is blatant," said Gerald Steinberg, president of NGO Monitor. "This document exposes the hypocrisy of supposedly humanitarian international organizations like the Red Cross, Doctors without Borders and the Norwegian Aid Committee (NORWAC). While repeatedly echoing Hamas allegations and condemning Israel's operations to end the exploitation of hospitals for terror, these groups clearly knew that Hamas exploited these facilities, and chose to remain silent. To make hospitals in Gaza safe for everyone, the NGO and UN code of silence must be broken."

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Ministers demand answers after surprise release of Gaza hospital chief https://www.israelhayom.com/2024/07/01/ministers-demand-answers-after-surprise-release-of-gaza-hospital-chief/ https://www.israelhayom.com/2024/07/01/ministers-demand-answers-after-surprise-release-of-gaza-hospital-chief/#respond Mon, 01 Jul 2024 09:00:14 +0000 https://www.israelhayom.com/?p=969859   A wave of anger swept through Israel's government on Monday as ministers learned of the release of Muhammad Abu Salmiya, the director of Gaza's Al-Shifa Hospital, along with 50 other detainees. The decision, apparently made without cabinet approval, has sparked a heated debate within the government about security protocols and prisoner management during the […]

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A wave of anger swept through Israel's government on Monday as ministers learned of the release of Muhammad Abu Salmiya, the director of Gaza's Al-Shifa Hospital, along with 50 other detainees. The decision, apparently made without cabinet approval, has sparked a heated debate within the government about security protocols and prisoner management during the ongoing conflict.

Video: Al-Shifa director was released on July 1, 2024

The Al-Shifa Hospital, the largest in Gaza, was one of the main terror hubs used by Hamas during and after Oct. 7, and it is where some of the hostages were taken by the terrorists. Israel Hayom recently reported that the IDF was close to carrying out a mission to free hostages from the compound at the start of the conflict, but ultimately the IDF Chief of Staf Herzi Halevi decided not to give a green light for various reasons.

Minister Amichai Chikli demanded answers in the government's WhatsApp group: "Can we get an explanation from Yoav Gallant on why this man is being released? Hostages were murdered in his hospital, and it served as a Hamas command center."

Itamar Ben-Gvir, minister of national security, did not mince words: "It's time for the Shin Bet chief to go. He's acting unilaterally, with Gallant's full backing, bypassing the cabinet and government. He's implementing his own policies and has become an advocate for the detainees in discussions. Sure, they're overcrowded, but is that his concern?"

Minister Orit Strock questioned the legal basis: "I ask in all seriousness: Under what authority was this done?" Communications Minister Shlomo Karhi called for a complete overhaul: "Israel needs new security leadership from the ground up. We need leaders committed to victory and honoring our soldiers' heroism, just like the Prime Minister. The sooner, the better."

The Defense Ministry stated that Minister Gallant was not informed of the decision to release the Shifa director, saying it fell under IDF jurisdiction. Sources close to Gallant acknowledged the anger over the move.

Interior Minister Moshe Arbel later joined the conversation: "Ben-Gvir, I know this isn't the right forum, and everything is leaking, but didn't we approve a budget cut in April to allocate nearly half a billion shekels for new detention facilities that weren't built? Where's your accountability on this?"

Ben-Gvir retorted: "We've added 500 spaces immediately and are building new wings. Yes, it's crowded now, but we don't release detainees just because of overcrowding or tents. Let's stop being overly sympathetic."

Karhi added: "With all due respect, releasing detainees due to 'lack of space' is nothing more than a flimsy excuse."

Benny Gantz, leader of the State Party, also weighed in: "A government that releases those who sheltered the October 7 murderers and helped conceal our hostages has made an operational, moral, and morale–damaging mistake. They're unfit to manage our existential war and should step down. Whoever made this decision lacks judgment and should be fired today. Mr. Prime Ninister, if you close a few government ministries, I'm sure you'll find space and budget for detention facilities. You can't continue to manage a war this way – it's time to set an agreed–upon election date."

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Gaza actor accused of embezzling donation funds https://www.israelhayom.com/2024/06/23/gaza-actor-accused-of-embezzling-donation-funds/ https://www.israelhayom.com/2024/06/23/gaza-actor-accused-of-embezzling-donation-funds/#respond Sun, 23 Jun 2024 03:00:56 +0000 https://www.israelhayom.com/?p=967161   A prominent Palestinian actor from Gaza, known for his viral social media videos during the recent conflict, is facing accusations of misappropriating donation funds. Saleh al-Jafarawi, better known by his moniker "Mr. FAFO," has come under fire from fellow Gaza residents who claim he has stolen hundreds of thousands of shekels meant for relief […]

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A prominent Palestinian actor from Gaza, known for his viral social media videos during the recent conflict, is facing accusations of misappropriating donation funds. Saleh al-Jafarawi, better known by his moniker "Mr. FAFO," has come under fire from fellow Gaza residents who claim he has stolen hundreds of thousands of shekels meant for relief efforts.

The 25-year-old al-Jafarawi gained widespread attention for his numerous appearances in social media videos throughout the conflict. He portrayed various roles, including a Hamas member, field journalist, father of an injured child, patient at Shifa Hospital, and displaced person in Khan Yunis. His performances even inspired a sketch on the Israeli satirical show "Eretz Nehederet."

 However, Jafarawi's popularity has taken a hit as Palestinians in Gaza have begun questioning his integrity. Social media users are demanding answers about alleged missing funds, with one user asking, "Where is the 630,000 shekels you stole, Saleh?" Alongside Jafarawi, Palestinian journalist Motaz Azaiza, who recently left Gaza for Qatar and then the United States, is also implicated in the accusations.

Mustafa Ashfour, a blogger with thousands of followers on X, criticized the actor, writing, "The donation thief, Saleh al-Jafarawi. Saleh used his journalistic work and exploited the suffering of our people in Gaza to steal donations. In other words, it's normal for him to convince people he's injured when he doesn't have a scratch. It's very easy for him to convince people he's an angel and a journalist, and then plunder money."

Another social media user shared an account from a hospital nurse, claiming that Jafarawi regularly visited to film videos for sympathy despite having only minor injuries that required no medical treatment.

While Jafarawi has not directly addressed these allegations, he recently posted a video on X showing himself distributing donations to residents of displaced persons camps in southern Gaza. The video garnered tens of thousands of views and thousands of comments.

Some defenders of Jafarawi argue that many individuals profited and gained fame during the conflict, but "Mr. FAFO" is being singled out due to his support for "resistance," referring to Hamas. Others suggest that those making these accusations are affiliated with the rival Fatah organization.

Since the outbreak of the conflict, numerous Palestinians in Gaza have gained prominence on social media platforms. Some have reportedly used their newfound status to raise substantial funds for themselves and their families, often with the aim of leaving Gaza.

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