Terrorist brags on audio: ‘I can go with any ambulance I want,’ Israel releases evidence of Hamas misuse of medical facilities

Israel Defense Forces and the Shin Bet security agency on Wednesday released recordings to the public intended to demonstrate that Hamas “exploits ambulances, hospitals, clinics, mosques, and schools for terrorist purposes.” 

“Hamas uses ambulances to transfer weapons and terrorist operatives in the Gaza Strip,” the IDF stated. 

In an audio recording captured by the Shin Bet security agency, a Gazan can be heard speaking to a member of Hamas. 

“Hi brother, how are you?” the Gazan asks. 

“Nothing, all the same,” the terrorist responds. 

“Should I send an ambulance?” asks the Gazan. 

“No man, I have ambulances. I can go out with whatever ambulance I want.” 

The IDF deliberately chose not to explain the context of the call, or the date of the recording, to avoid exposing Shin Bet methods or sources. 

The Israeli military also released recorded portions of interviews with Nukhba Force (Hamas) terrorists captured on Oct. 7. 

The terrorists make several admissions “regarding Hamas' use of hospitals and ambulances to benefit military activity," according to the IDF statement.

The recordings reveal that Hamas officials not only misuse medical facilities but also use fake ambulances to transport fighters and weapons. 

“Al-Qassam [Brigades] have their own ambulances, some of which are located on the military base. The appearance of the ambulances is similar to the civilian ambulances so that they will not arouse suspicion or be bombed by Israel,” one of the Nukhba terrorists says on the recording. 

Another Nukhba terrorist said, “During combat, the ambulances are used, among other things, to evacuate fighters, commanders and operatives. They also transport food, cargo and weapons in them because that is the safest way to transport them.” 

A different terrorist said Hamas uses the ambulances because they know “the Jews don’t attack ambulances.” 

The terrorists confessed to the use of schools and hospitals for storing “important things, like weapons, rockets, weapon magazines, meaning the important things, and in my opinion, the important kidnapped people.” 

Last week, Israel admitted striking an ambulance that it said was being used by a Hamas cell to transport people and equipment. 

IDF Arabic Spokesman Avichai Adraee posted to social media, accusing Hamas commander Ahmed Siam of hiding in the Ranteesi Specialist Hospital in Gaza City and preventing some 1,000 people from evacuating the center. 

🔴 #عاجل وخطير للغاية 🔴
هذا هو المدعو أحمد صيام قائد سرية ناصر-الرضوان في كتيبة الفرقان التابعة لحماس. هذا المخرب متواجد الآن في #مستشفى_الرنتيسي غرب مدينة غزة ويمنع من النازحين المتواجدين هناك من اخلاء المكان والتوجه جنوبًا لحماية أنفسهم.
نحو ألف مدني في #غزة محتجز كرهائن من… pic.twitter.com/6P0faYmJyn

— افيخاي ادرعي (@AvichayAdraee) November 8, 2023

“Ahmed Siam Abu Hamza uses the displaced and patients inside Ranteesi Hospital as human shields and risks their lives,” Adraee wrote. 

Hamas previously tried to smuggle Hamas fighters out of Gaza and across the border into Egypt by using ambulances, according to the U.S. government. 

Last week, Israel's Ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan attacked UN Sec.-Gen. António Guterres on social media after the UN leader tweeted that he was horrified by the attack on an ambulance. 

“You blatantly lie regarding the lack of aid entering Gaza, and you completely ignore the fact that Hamas intentionally exploits ambulances for terror,” Erdan tweeted.

.@antonioguterres once again, you rush to condemn Israel without even bothering to ask what happened (eg. al-Ahli hospital), you blatantly lie regarding the lack of aid entering Gaza, and you completely ignore the fact that Hamas intentionally exploits ambulances for terror.… https://t.co/UlxXb0RKxZ

— Ambassador Gilad Erdan גלעד ארדן (@giladerdan1) November 4, 2023