A doctor recruited by the terrorist organization Hamas admits to using hospitals as hideouts. Israeli opposition leader Jair Lapid visited Berlin. All information in the news blog.
The most important things at a glance
Hamas terrorists crossed the border into Israel on October 7 and carried out massacres. Since then, Israel has been attacking targets in the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip. This news blog informs you about the current developments:
Report: Germany wants to support the USA in protecting ships in the Red Sea
7:54 p.m.: After increased attacks by the pro-Iranian Houthi militia on merchant ships in the Red Sea, the federal government is considering participating in a US-led international military coalition to protect shipping, according to a media report. “We recognize the need to take action here and support the US approach,” said government circles, according to information from the “Süddeutsche Zeitung”. Accordingly, there is fundamentally a “willingness to participate here.” Now “practical and legal questions need to be clarified.”
As the newspaper further reports, the federal government and the coalition factions believe that such German participation requires a Bundestag mandate. Green defense politician Sara Nanni suggested expanding the EU mandate for the Atalanta anti-piracy mission as a basis.
It also needs to be clarified whether and when the Navy could send suitable ships. It would therefore also be conceivable to send staff officers or support services beforehand.
Insider: No early agreement on hostage negotiations
5:56 p.m.: According to an insider, no agreement is expected soon in the negotiations over the Hamas hostages. The talks between the Prime Minister of Qatar as mediator and the heads of the Israeli secret service Mossad and the American CIA in Warsaw were positive, says a person familiar with the efforts. Various suggestions were discussed. “But an agreement is not expected in the near future.” There are no statements from the Israeli or US sides.
The terrorist organization Hamas rejects negotiations on a further exchange of hostages and prisoners during the war with Israel. However, Hamas representative Basem Naem says they are open to any initiative to end the war. “We reiterate our position and categorically refuse to enter into prisoner exchange negotiations in light of Israel’s ongoing genocidal war,” Naem said.
Israel: Palestinian admits Hamas use of hospital
5:40 p.m.: The Israeli army has released a video in which a man described as a hospital director confesses to the use of his hospital in the Gaza Strip by the terrorist organization Hamas. In the video, the man, identified as Ahmed Kahalot, director of Kamal-Adwan Hospital in the embattled northern coastal district of Jabalia, is interviewed in Arabic in a room by an unseen interviewer whose voice is distorted. The information about the video and its content could not initially be independently verified.
Kahalot sits in a white room with an Israeli flag on the wall and is wearing a thick jacket. When questioned, he said in a calm voice that he was recruited by the terrorist organization Hamas in 2010 with the rank of brigadier general. In the hospital he knew 16 employees – doctors, nurses, paramedics and employees – who were also members of the Kassam Brigades, the armed wing of the terrorist organization.
The terrorist organization Hamas had its own rooms in the hospital with separate telephone connections, where Hamas leaders and high-ranking officials would occasionally stay for a few days. “They hide in hospitals because a hospital is a safe place for them. They are not attacked there,” says Kahalot. An Israeli soldier who was abducted from Israel was also brought to the hospital.
Hamas also had its own ambulance without license plates that they used to transport the kidnapped soldiers and bodies. However, Hamas even refused urgent medical transport with the vehicle. At the same time, the man criticizes the leadership of the terrorist organization. “The leaders of Hamas are cowards. They left us behind while they hide in secret locations. They destroyed us.”
