Subscribe to Print Edition | Tue., January 20, 2009 Tevet 24, 5769 | | Israel Time: 13:28 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Joy of Giving Travel Week's End Anglo File
Last update - 14:17 12/01/2009
Sources: Hamas leaders hiding in basement of Israel-built hospital in Gaza
By Amos Harel
Tags: Hamas, IDF, Gaza Strip 

Senior Hamas officials in Gaza are hiding out in a "bunker" built by Israel, intelligence officials suspect: Many are believed to be in the basements of the Shifa Hospital complex in Gaza City, which was refurbished during Israel's occupation of the Gaza Strip.

Shifa, the coastal strip's largest hospital, was built while Gaza was under Egyptian rule, before 1967.


Advertisement
During the mid-1980s the building underwent massive refurbishment as part of a showcase project to improve the living conditions of residents.

Millions were invested in the project, which was overseen by Shmuel Goren, the coordinator for activities in the territories at the time.

The Israeli civil administration in the territories constructed the hospital complex's Building Number 2, which has a large cement basement that housed the hospital's laundry and various administrative services.

During a cabinet meeting a week ago, Shin Bet chief Yuval Diskin said senior Hamas officials found refuge in the hospital basement because they know Israel would not target it, due to the patients in the upper floors. Palestinian sources told Haaretz that not all the senior Hamas leaders are hiding in one place.

Rather, they have spread out, and some are constantly changing locations. Some of the bunkers they are using were linked by tunnels Hamas built in recent years.

Related articles:
  • Olmert: Nobody will determine Israel's right to defend itself
  • Hamas: UN Gaza truce resolution 'does not meet our demands'
  • IDF says Qassam attacks down 50% since Cast Lead launched
    • Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    Inciting imagery
    Yad Vashem Chair: Nazi imagery at anti-Israel rallies incites violence.
    Frames of Reality
    A social networking Web site links Israeli and Gaza journalists during wartime.
      1.   This was obvious 03:24  |  Avi 12/01/09
      2.   What can be done about it? 04:33  |  Fortuna Benmayor 12/01/09
      3.   Yeah, right..... 05:36  |  Johnboy 12/01/09
      4.   What was that about a war crime? 05:39  |  Jordan 12/01/09
      5.   Criminal Doctors 05:43  |  Barny Rubble 12/01/09
      6.   Brave Muslim warriors not afraid to confront their enemies face 05:48  |  SLAVO 12/01/09
      7.   Sounds Like IDF Needs To Do Special Forces Op 06:19  |  Rick 12/01/09
      8.   What it really means is Hamas leaders are the cowards 07:10  |  Shepherd 12/01/09
      9.   IDF solderes are hiding in hospitals too 07:16  |  GalileeHero 12/01/09
      10.   The Israelis need to slowly and quietly.... 07:28  |  Mark 12/01/09
      11.   surround the hospital, arrest them 07:32  |  goofy jew 12/01/09
      12.   remove the patients and medical staff then 08:09  |  bomb the hospital 12/01/09
      13.   Why did the idf build a bunker in the hospital? 08:23  |  Jack 12/01/09
      14.   Huh? Israel routinely bombs hospitals and schools 08:36  |  d 12/01/09
      15.   Hamas must be crushed. 08:45  |  Jean Van Daem 12/01/09
      16.   #5 Not so easy, goofy jew 08:53  |  Johnboy 12/01/09
      17.   Thank you Israel ! 08:59  |  blame shame khraim 12/01/09
      18.   should this not be kept a secret? 09:00  |  Vince 12/01/09
      19.   Send in the Commandos 2nd try 09:10  |  Peter Williams 12/01/09
      20.   Shin Bet disinformation 09:19  |  Michael 12/01/09
      21.   #7, d, Israel has never bombed a hospital 09:39  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 12/01/09
      22.   Enter the hospital and arrest or kill those Hamas terrorists 10:07  |  arthur 12/01/09
      23.   The less said the better 10:13  |  Zev 12/01/09
      24.   Hamas leaders hiding in basement 10:18  |  Mike F 12/01/09
      25.   using hospitals for military purposes is a war crime 10:20  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 12/01/09
      26.   Palestine can be only a liability on the international community 10:22  |  Akram Zekaria 12/01/09
      27.   What has Mr Gilbert got to say to that? 10:23  |  SG 12/01/09
      28.   Notice the word "suspect." 10:25  |  Maureen Ann 12/01/09
      29.   @3 GalileeHero 10:26  |  SG 12/01/09
      30.   #12 Vince: read the article again... 10:32  |  JustMe 12/01/09
      31.   preparing public opinion for attacking hospitals 10:34  |  GalileeHero 12/01/09
      32.   #15 Don`t be so dogmatic, Cipora 11:07  |  Johnboy 12/01/09
      33.   #13 Maybe they learnt their lesson in 2006, Peter Williams 11:12  |  Johnboy 12/01/09
      34.   Hamas` low act in the basement.. 12:09  |  Michael J 12/01/09
      35.   PROVE IT! LET THE PREE IN 12:09  |  Sam 12/01/09
      36.   Israel using kids as human-shields 12:24  |  Can 12/01/09
      37.   Well... 12:29  |  Kol ha-Nevi`im 12/01/09
      38.   Next: Bombing a hospital. 12:32  |  Can 12/01/09
      39.   Johnboy 13 - Lessons Learned 12:34  |  ChanahS 12/01/09
      40.   #31, johnny 12:42  |  Cipora Julianna Kohn 12/01/09
      41.   COULDN`T BE BETTER!!! 12:50  |  Ian 12/01/09
      42.   just an excuse for IDF to bomb the hospital? 12:54  |  David Bernstein 12/01/09
      43.   CAN you are getting confused 13:14  |  PETER SM 12/01/09
      44.   underground with the rats 13:24  |  Jon from Euroland 12/01/09
      45.   We cant use a tank or jet but we can use soilders 13:51  |  zionist forever 12/01/09
      46.   During the first gulf war 13:52  |  Mark Lincoln 12/01/09
      47.   intelligence officials suspect... 13:54  |  Martin 12/01/09
      48.   hasen 13:58  |  doudou 12/01/09
      49.   Hams underground hiding 14:07  |  emporda 12/01/09
      50.   Cipora the parallels between Hizbulla and Hamas 14:18  |  Margie in Tel Aviv 12/01/09
      51.   The journalists from the world are in Sderot 14:32  |  diva riva 12/01/09
      52.   Sources: Hamas leaders hiding in basement of Israel-built hospita 14:35  |  Jake 1948 12/01/09
      53.   Drip, drip, drip 14:37  |  Aphemia 12/01/09
      54.   #38 Can...seems the cowardly Hamas 14:40  |  Lynn 12/01/09
      55.   BOMB THE HOSPITAL!!! 14:42  |  LW 12/01/09
      56.   The real face of Hamas 18:11  |  ChanahS 12/01/09
      57.   There is nothing brave about hiding amoung Civilians 18:20  |  Joe 12/01/09
      58.   Can From Istanbul 18:34  |  David Israel 12/01/09
      59.   Hospitals, schools and mosques 18:50  |  ChanahS 12/01/09
      60.   Johboy - there is not need for IDF to fight on Hamas terms 20:19  |  Orquest 12/01/09
      61.   don`t mess with the ZOHAN 20:40  |  mrlgh 12/01/09
      62.   So what? 21:09  |  Visionary 12/01/09
      63.   Use the bunker busters we sold you 21:58  |  Ken 12/01/09
      64.   To Sam 35 22:06  |  Antonio da Silva 12/01/09
      65.   Amost laughable 22:10  |  Brian 12/01/09
      66.   #21 cipora 23:19  |  phil 12/01/09
      67.   Gaza. Israel-Built Hospital 23:43  |  The Teacher/Instruct 12/01/09
      68.   ChanahS 23:46  |  TonyL 12/01/09
      69.   Johnboy, you mean that empty hospital? 23:49  |  Peter Williams 12/01/09
      70.   Shifa 23:53  |  Petero 12/01/09
      71.   bunkers tunnels and basements 00:07  |  fds 13/01/09
      72.   Chanah -S Booby traps in WW2? 00:22  |  Palestinian Brit 13/01/09
      73.   JOHNBOY Al Hikmah hospital was sorrounded by Hezballah fighters 02:42  |  PETER SM 13/01/09
      74.   Tell The World 06:00  |  Howard 13/01/09
      75.   80 % percent of German Population support Hittler in 1939 06:23  |  Rafael Tavera 13/01/09
      76.   re: Jack 06:32  |  UsedToPostHere 13/01/09
      77.   flood the basement 06:57  |  am yisrael chai 13/01/09
      78.   A bunch of hypocrites.... 07:02  |  Benny Lo 13/01/09
      79.   #72 Palestinian Brit 07:25  |  *BEN JABO 13/01/09
      80.   Hiding out in the basement..! 07:28  |  Stephen. 13/01/09
      81.   #40 3rd try to respond to Cippie Part 1 08:49  |  Johnboy 13/01/09
      82.   Eventually, Haneyah will come out with his hands up. 09:36  |  Ron 13/01/09
      83.   Simple solution to Hospital problem 19:32  |  *BEN JABO 13/01/09
      84.   #73 7th try to respond to PETER SM 01:38  |  Johnboy 14/01/09
      85.   #69 8th try to respond to Peter Williams part 1 01:40  |  Johnboy 14/01/09
      86.   #69 8th try to respond to Peter Williams part 2 01:51  |  Johnboy 14/01/09
      87.   #75, Totally Faulty Reasoning Here 02:46  |  Gary 14/01/09
      88.   #21 Here are a couple more, Cipora, hot off the press 03:39  |  Johnboy 14/01/09
      89.   Johnboy 8 tries, you must really like me 09:58  |  Peter Williams 14/01/09
      90.   #86 Oh, spare me the ignorance, Peter Williams! 12:18  |  Johnboy 14/01/09
      91.   Hey Johnboy take a chill pill 14:44  |  Peter Williams 14/01/09
      92.   basement 14:56  |  gigi 14/01/09
      93.   #91 Gosh, Peter, is it really *that* easy to avoid condemnation? 10:46  |  Johnboy 15/01/09
      94.   Apparently Yes Johnboy 14:57  |  Peter Williams 15/01/09
      95.   #94 Yet another attempt to reply to Peter 09:57  |  Johnboy 16/01/09
      96.   Johnboy 4th try 13:07  |  Peter Williams 20/01/09
     Read & React
    Bradley Burston: Mr. Obama, grant Hamas the freedom to fail
    Responses: 39
    David Grossman: Israel's success in Gaza only proves it is strong, not right
    Responses: 201
    A. Eldar: As Obama is sworn in, Israelis and Palestinians will be thinking 'no we can't'
    Responses: 34
    Nadav Shragai: Israel's leaders must apologize now for wicked Gaza pullout
    Responses: 14
    Editorial: Despite his mistakes, Bush will be remembered as a friend of Israel
    Responses: 14


    More Headlines
    13:06 'Sarkozy to host global summit on Mideast peace'
    11:57 Report: Hamas leader admits surprise at IDF use of force in Gaza
    12:19 Lieberman to Tibi: We must treat some Arab MKs like we treated Hamas
    12:33 David Grossman / Gaza success proves Israel is strong, not right
    13:27 Livni: We want progress on Shalit before we address Hamas' demands
    06:43 Akiva Eldar / As Obama is sworn in, Israelis and Palestinians will be thinking 'no we can't'
    12:44 Olmert: Hamas responsible for damage IDF op caused in Gaza
    13:16 WATCH / Inside Israel medical center for Gaza residents
    12:33 Top IDF officer defends Israel's actions in Gaza, says Hamas was defeated
    12:30 Israel pinning hopes for Hamas deal in Gaza on Egypt intel chief
    11:06 Truce holds as South enjoys first rocket-free day since Gaza op began
    12:34 Olmert's office acted alone in barring foreign reporters from Gaza
    04:26 Report: Olmert privately proposed division of Jerusalem to Arab leaders
    08:18 Amira Hass / Gazans say IDF troops ignored white flags and shot at them
    11:19 Lieberman to Haaretz: Hamas missiles will reach Tel Aviv within a year
    08:18 Psychologists to help students deal with war trauma as they return to school
    06:32 Survey: Gaza operation likely to increase voter turnout
    Previous Editions
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    Summer in Israel
    Israeli style - Tzofim Chetz V'Keshet 2009
    Blue And White Forever Israel Army T-shirts
    Wear with Proud Donate the Soldiers Kit
    You can make a direct IMPACT!
    on the life of an Israeli soldier
    State of Israel Bonds
    During this time of market volatility, Israel bonds can help.
    SURF RAMBAM
    Keep current about new-wave medical care, education and research.
    Summer Camp in Israel
    The best place for your children this summer
    Fattal Hotel Chain
    Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel.
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations
    Jewish Singles Personal Ads
    Find the love of your life on JDate.com
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |
    Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel
    birthright Israel | Search engine marketing
    Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved