What Israel’s video of ‘Hamas tunnel’ under al-Shifa tells us: Analysis

The Israeli military announced on Sunday that it had discovered a tunnel shaft under Gaza’s al-Shifa Hospital. The military released footage of tunnels taken on November 17 to support their claim. Israel had previously launched a raid on the hospital, stating that it was targeting an alleged underground tunnel system connected to a Hamas military control center. Israeli and United States intelligence agencies supported the claim that Hamas was operating under the hospital, while Hamas and medical staff denied the allegations.

The Israeli military’s statement said that they found a 55-meter-long tunnel under the hospital, which contained weapons such as RPGs, explosives, and Kalashnikov rifles. They also released a video showing the entrance of the tunnel, which was discovered when a bulldozer knocked down the outside wall of the hospital, revealing a spiral staircase that led to a blast door.

Military analyst Zoran Kusovac questioned the veracity of the video, suggesting that it may be clips of two different tunnels spliced together. He pointed out that the construction shown in the video appeared to be built with regular civil engineering techniques, which would have required large and loud machines, unlike the secret construction methods typically used by Hamas for tunnel building.

The Israeli military stated that they had not yet attempted to open the blast door at the end of the tunnel, as they feared it could be booby-trapped. Kusovac mentioned that there are various types of traps that could be placed in tunnels, including improvised explosive devices (IEDs) triggered by tripwires or pressure. He also questioned the delay in calling explosion experts to assess the situation, which typically takes a few hours rather than over a day.

CNN visited the tunnel shaft and confirmed its presence but could not establish whether it led to a command center. Tunnels in Gaza were first built in 1980 for smuggling purposes but later became used for military purposes by Palestinians. They were used to bypass the blockade that Israel placed on the Gaza Strip after Hamas gained control in 2007 and were also utilized for wired communications.

The article also mentions that Israel had previously made a similar claim about a Hamas tunnel under the Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Hospital, which was later disproven by Al Jazeera’s verification unit.

In terms of credibility, the sources cited in the article include the Israeli military, United States intelligence, and CNN. The inclusion of multiple sources helps establish the credibility of the information. However, there is a potential bias as the article primarily focuses on questioning the Israeli military’s claims and presenting alternative viewpoints. The article also highlights previous instances where Israeli claims about tunnels under hospitals were disproven.

Overall, the article raises valid concerns about the veracity of the Israeli military’s claims and presents alternative viewpoints from a military analyst. This helps provide a nuanced understanding of the situation. However, it is important to note that the article’s analysis is based on limited information and does not definitively prove or disprove the existence of a tunnel connected to a Hamas control center. The impact of the information presented in the article may vary depending on the reader’s perspectives, their trust in the credibility of sources, and their existing biases.

In the current political landscape, where fake news and misinformation are prevalent, the public’s perception of the information presented in this article may be influenced by a variety of factors. Some individuals may see the article as an attempt to question and challenge the Israeli military’s claims, potentially reinforcing existing skepticism towards official statements. Others may view the article as providing a more nuanced understanding of the situation, prompting them to question the motives and evidence behind such claims. In such a complex and divisive political environment, it is essential for readers to critically assess the information presented and seek additional sources to form a well-rounded understanding of the topic.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/11/20/what-israels-video-of-hamas-tunnel-under-al-shifa-tells-us