Dave Harden is a former USAID West Bank/Gaza Mission Director.
He wrote a very interesting thread on X this morning, that began with:
A few observations regarding Israel’s operation at Al Shifa Hospital.
When I was in seat, it was broadly suspected/understood as far back as 2014 that Hamas used the Al Shifa Hospital complex as a command center and base for operations.I didn’t have direct evidence, but it was recognized by both trusted Palestinians and Israelis in my network.
This is interesting, but all of that was widely known in 2014.
His next two statements are a lot more damning:
Further, Hamas used ambulances to move its people. This was based on my conversations with the then head of ICRC..I also know from first hand experience that Hamas shot at innocent Gazan civilians trying to escape firefights.None of my prior experiences can confirm what is actually happening, but I do know what did happen.
But now we learn that the ICRC knew all of this - and did not publicize it. They blamed Israel for allegedly firing on ambulances in 2014 but not once did they condemn Hamas for using ambulances as their own limousine services.
And Harden himself saw Hamas fire on Gaza civilians!
Even though the IDF has shown evidence that Hamas is shooting at civilians trying to flee northern Gaza, no one seems to believe them, at least publicly. Hamas claims that the IDF shot at fleeing civilians while they were using the very same humanitarian corridors the IDF set up were widely publicized. Yet it seems everyone knows that Hamas will shoot at their own civilians to keep them obedient to their dictates. Major NGOs working in Gaza know the truth, and don't say a word, allowing Israel to appear to be monsters and ignoring Hamas war crimes that directly endanger - or kill - innocent Gazans.
The media and NGOs know what is going on. They are actively working to keep the truth of how monstrous Hamas is out of public view. It is true that they might be protecting their family and friends who live in Gaza, but that doesn't mean the story cannot get out without anyone identifying the witnesses.
And that is the bigger scandal here.
