Netanyahu confirms discovery of Hamas headquarters under clinic Erdogan avoids critical Israeli issue in Berlin

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu confirmed to US media the discovery of an underground Hamas command center in the largest clinic in the Gaza Strip. The military had located a command and control center in the second basement of Shifa Hospital, he told NPR radio on Friday. Terrorists fled the clinic before soldiers arrived. The army also discovered weapons and bombs there.

The Israeli army had previously announced that it had also found command and control centers during its operation at the hospital. It was initially unclear whether this was also the Hamas command center believed to be located underneath the hospital. Hamas denies the existence of such a base under the clinic.

To prevent a resurgence of terrorists, after the war in the Gaza Strip, “overall military responsibility” for the Palestinian coastal area must lie with Israel for the foreseeable future, Netanyahu told the broadcaster. However, he does not consider it absolutely necessary to keep soldiers there. A civilian government is also needed in the Gaza Strip. But it must fight terrorism and not speak out in favor of Israel’s destruction. (sda/dpa)