Hamas on Monday responded to a White House remark that its headquarters is located in Al-Shifa hospital, the largest in the Gaza Strip, saying it condones Israeli “massacres” targeting hospitals.

In an English-language statement, Hamas said: “These claims (by the White House) give the Israeli occupation forces the green light to carry out further brutal massacres targeting hospitals with the aim of destroying Gaza’s health system and expelling Palestinians.” It also condemned the US, saying: “The United States is directly responsible for enabling Israel’s genocidal war in Gaza.”

Earlier, John Kirby, the US National Security Council’s coordinator for strategic public affairs, said at a press conference that Hamas has a “command center” in Shifa hospital in Gaza, adding that “Hamas stores weapons there and is prepared to respond to any Israeli military operation against the hospital.” (c)AFP