Israeli army spokesman Peter Lerner called on the BBC to apologize for news reporting that there was no evidence that Al-Shifa Hospital was used by Hamas.

He claimed that "the Israeli military found a 50-meter-long tunnel with a reinforced armored door under the hospital, in addition to firearms, communications equipment, and RPG shells."

He added: "The Hamas Ministry of Health lied and denied that Hamas was misusing the hospital. We expect the World Health Organization to condemn this," asking: "Will BBC World Service apologize? Will Jeremy Bowen say I was wrong?"

Last week, Bowen published a report in which he expressed his doubts about the existence of any evidence with the Israeli army that there is a Hamas headquarters in Al-Shifa Hospital. He also pointed out that journalists do not have the right to move freely in the Gaza Strip, noting that journalists working in the Gaza Strip are forced to work under the supervision of the Israeli military.