Gaza

U.S. intelligence agencies estimate that the al-Shifa hospital in Gaza was used by Hamas and Islamic Jihad to issue orders to militants. Some hostages are also believed to have been held in the hospital. But Palestinian militant groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad largely managed to evacuate the complex before Israeli soldiers entered the hospital in November, according to an anonymous U.S. official. He referred to recent intelligence that has been released for publication.
     The United States has not published the evidence on which the assessment is based. But the official says the U.S. has independently confirmed the information. The Israeli military operation at the hospital drew criticism from, among others, the World Health Organization, WHO.
    As early as November, White House national security spokesman John Kirby said the U.S. believed Hamas militants were using the hospital. “We have our own intelligence that has convinced us that Hamas used al-Shifa as a command and control hub — and most likely as a repository,” Kirby said. /ritzau/Reuters/