What it is about
The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have identified and dismantled key Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) terror facilities hidden within a former UNRWA compound in Gaza City. This comes as part of an ongoing series of tactical operations by the IDF’s 99th Division and elite Commando Brigade’s combat team.
Why it matters
The discovery underscores the strategic and operational capacity of Hamas and PIJ to utilize civilian structures such as UNRWA facilities for military purposes. By exposing these networks, Israel continues to take vital steps towards ensuring the safety and security of its citizens, while thwarting terrorist capabilities.
Details
During their operations, Israeli troops discovered an array of terror infrastructure, including war rooms for surveillance, parts for UAV assembly, tactical drones, rockets, machine guns, mortars, explosives, and grenades. Additionally, underground scans revealed a subterranean weapons and explosives manufacturing facility within a university building in the area.
Last Wednesday, the 99th Division successfully neutralized terrorists during close-quarters combat at the former UNRWA headquarters. Some terrorists were killed, while others were apprehended by Israeli soldiers.
Previous Development
Earlier, the IDF had located and targeted a terror tunnel running beneath the UNRWA facility, emphasizing its significance as a Hamas military intelligence asset. This comprehensive operation was largely intelligence-driven and conducted in cooperation with the Shin Bet (Israel Security Agency).
IDF’s measures, which included opening an evacuation route for civilians before engaging terrorists, highlight Israel’s commitment to humanitarian considerations even while undertaking complex military operations.
These findings reveal the extensive efforts by terrorist organizations to embed their operations within civilian infrastructures, presenting challenges to international humanitarian law and compromising civilian safety. This revelation strengthens East-West counter-terrorism initiatives and the need to address the exploitation of international facilities by terrorists actively.
This story was first published on jpost.com.