US President Joe Biden has expressed concern for hospitals in Gaza amid Israeli allegations that Hamas is using them to coordinate attacks.
Earlier on Monday, a US official with knowledge of American intelligence said Hamas has a command node under the Al-Shifa hospital, echoing the Israel Defense Forces' accusations that the militant group is directing rocket attacks and commanding operations from bunkers underneath the building.
"When medical facilities are used for terror purposes, they are liable to lose their protection from attack in accordance with international law," an IDF spokesperson said two weeks ago, appearing to suggest such hospitals are on Israel’s target list.
Biden on Monday expressed concern about the enclave's hospitals.
“Well, you know, I have not been reluctant expressing in my concern with what's going on, and it’s my hope and expectation that there will be less intrusive action relative to the hospitals, we’re in contact with the Israelis,” the president said.
Biden added that there is an effort to take “this pause to deal with the release of prisoners, and that's being negotiated as well, and the Qataris are engaged, so I remain somewhat hopeful, but the hospitals must be protected.”
Some background: On Sunday, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), also known as Doctors Without Borders, said hostilities around Al-Shifa “have not stopped,” with constant bombardment preventing evacuations and making it too dangerous for ambulance journeys.
A freelance journalist told CNN the situation is dire, with medics working by candlelight, food being rationed, and other resources dwindling.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an interview with CNN there's "no reason" patients can't be evacuated from Al-Shifa. Israel opened an evacuation corridor there Sunday, but the International Committee of the Red Cross said no one left through it. The hospital director says people are afraid to step outside.