THE United States has said it has its own evidence that Hamas are using al Shifa Hospital in Gaza to run terrorist operations.

Washington today announced the claims after the IDF wiped out a terror cell at the Al Quds hospital, where Hamas used patients as human shields.

The White House’s national security council spokesperson, John Kirby, said: “We have information that confirms that Hamas is using that particular hospital for a command and control mode.”

He added the facility is also probably being used to store weapons.

“That is a war crime,” he said.

When asked about evidence to support the claim, Kirby said it “comes from a variety of intelligence sourcing” but could not be more specific.

But the spokesperson added the alleged actions by Hamas do not lessen Israel’s responsibility to protect civilians.

“We do not support striking a hospital from the air,” Kirby said.

“Hospitals and patients must be protected.”

The US claims were “strongly condemned and rejected” by Hamas.

The terrorist group said the White House is repeating the “lies” propagated by Israel, Sky News reports.

“These statements give a green light to the Israeli occupation to commit further brutal massacres targeting hospitals, with the goal of destroying Gaza’s healthcare system and displacing Palestinians,” they said.

It comes after the IDF said on Monday troops were fired at by Hamas fighters from the entrance of Al Quds hospital as they “embedded” themselves among civilians.

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Israeli forces returned fire, claiming to have taken out 21 terrorists in the attack.

An IDF statement read: “RPG fire and small arms fire were directed at the soldiers from the direction of the al Quds Hospital in Gaza City.

“The shooting was carried out by a terrorist squad that had embedded itself within a group of civilians at the entrance of the hospital.

“During the incident, approximately 21 terrorists were killed and there were no casualties to our forces.”

It did not confirm or deny whether any civilians were killed during the fighting.

In the nearby Rantisi Hospital, Israeli military claimed they have discovered one of Hamas’ lairs and weapons headquarters set in the basement level.

IDF footage revealed what appears to be an underground terror nest littered with babies’ nappies and bottles – possibly indicating hostages could have been held there.

Troops said they found many weapons in the hospital basement, including explosive belts, grenades, weapons and RPG missiles.

In a video published by the IDF, the forces spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said: “This is a kind of gear used for a major fight.”

Pointing to each item laid out on the floor, he explained: “These are explosives, these are vests with explosives [in them] for a terrorist to explode on [Israeli] forces among hospitals, among patients.”

A motorcycle with gunshot marks was also found, which according to Israeli military officials, was used by Hamas terrorists in the October 7 massacre.

In addition, troops claim they have found signs indicating that hostages were held in the room as they found a chair with women’s clothes and a rope.

The IDF claimed they uncovered an operational tunnel shaft, which leads from the hospital to the home of a senior naval commander located just a few yards away.