Israel accused Hamas leaders in the Gaza Strip on Sunday of hiding in foreign diplomatic missions in an effort to elude Israeli forces, as Hamas officials were in Cairo for talks aimed at brokering a ceasefire in Gaza. "The leaders of Hamas and the armed wing are hiding in bunkers, hospitals and foreign missions," Israeli Cabinet Secretary Oved Yehezkel told reporters, basing his information on an intelligence briefing received by ministers. He did not name the missions. Few countries have diplomatic missions in Gaza and even Egypt has withdrawn its staff. The United Nations says it keeps Hamas fighters out of the schools, clinics and other institutions it runs there.
But Hamas officials reject Israeli insinuations that their behavior is cowardly. "Fear is the last thing we could be accused of," Hamas parliamentarian Mushir al-Masri said. "Martyrdom is our dearest wish, but God has ordered us not to pose ourselves as easy prey for our enemies."
The Israeli newspaper Yediot Ahronoth reported at the weekend that Hamas leaders were hiding in a basement at Shifa hospital, Gaza's foremost medical facility.