Hamas Exploits Civilian Evacuees to Smuggle Injured Fighters, Reveals US Official

Hamas has been attempting to smuggle injured militants out of the Gaza Strip by placing them on evacuation lists alongside injured Palestinian civilians, according to a senior US official. This revelation has complicated evacuation efforts following the recent terrorist attack on Israel, with delays reported for individuals with foreign passports or dual citizenship. Israeli forces allowed Palestinians access to a key highway for evacuation, but refugees are being directed to evacuate away from areas of armed conflict. Hamas agreed to let foreign nationals evacuate on the condition that a list of injured Palestinians could also depart, but approximately one third of the people on the list were Hamas members. Israel accused Hamas of attacking IDF troops facilitating the evacuation window, further highlighting the group's exploitation of the Gazan population.