Hamas made another demand before signing the agreement by which it would release 50 Israeli hostages in return for a four-day pause in the fighting in Gaza and the release of 150 terrorists from Israeli prison - that Israel withdraw its forces from al-Shifa Hospital.
Channel 12 News reported that Israel refused this demand, and it was ultimately dropped from the hostage deal.
The IDF spokesman stated: "We have mapped everything at al-Shifa Hospital, we will destroy the tunnels. All terrorist infrastructures will be destroyed. After we have destroyed these - we won't need to stay there."
Earlier Thursday, the IDF announced that the director of the al-Shifa Hospital in the Gaza Strip was apprehended and transferred for ISA questioning following evidence showing that the al-Shifa Hospital, under his direct management, served as a Hamas command and control center. The Hamas terror tunnel network situated under the hospital also exploited electricity and resources taken from the hospital. In addition, Hamas stored numerous weapons inside the hospital and on the hospital grounds.
Furthermore, after the Hamas massacre on October 7th, Hamas terrorists sought refuge within the hospital, some of them taking hostages from Israel with them. A pathological report also confirmed the murder of CPL Noa Marciano on the hospital premises.
In the hospital, under his management, there was extensive Hamas terrorist activity. Findings of his involvement in terrorist activity will determine whether he will be subject to further ISA questioning.