Hamas Tunnel Found Near School, Rocket Launcher Near Kindergarten

Latest Developments

Israeli soldiers found a rifle hidden under a child’s bed and terrorists’ weapons hidden in civilian homes in Gaza, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on January 10. Hamas terrorists continue to use civilian homes and areas to store weapons and conduct terrorist activity, the IDF noted. A terror tunnel was discovered near a school, a rocket launcher was found near a kindergarten, and a terrorist training compound was located in the vicinity of a mosque in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis. This is the most recent discovery of Hamas’s use of civilian areas to hide its terrorist activity. In the past, Israel has exposed Hamas’s use of hospitals and other civilian areas through operations in Gaza.

Expert Analysis

“Hamas spent two decades purposely building terrorist infrastructure underneath and within civilian areas. Hamas chose to locate weapons factories and rocket launch sites within densely populated neighborhoods in order to exploit the civilian population as human shields. Dismantling the terrorist infrastructure and removing it from civilian areas is key to defeating Hamas and denying it the ability to hide behind civilians.” — Seth J. Frantzman, FDD Adjunct Fellow

“Hamas terror infrastructure is pervasive in every aspect of Gazan civilian life: UN facilities, schools, universities, mosques, and children’s bedrooms. When Hamas is defeated, the people of Gaza will have an opportunity to partner with the international community to build a society that offers accountable governance. The big question is whether they will seize that opportunity.” — Enia Krivine, Senior Director of FDD’s Israel Program and National Security Network

IDF Efforts to Minimize Harm to Civilians

IDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said on January 9 that the IDF was making “vast efforts to minimize harm to the civilians that Hamas has forced into the role of human shields.” He said Israel is concerned about the suffering of civilians in Gaza. Hagari also noted that Israel is ready to facilitate the transfer of as much humanitarian aid as possible, including food and medical aid.

Weapons Hidden at University

Rifles, ammunition, Hamas flags, and cash were found at Gaza’s Islamic University, the IDF said on January 9. More than 100 mortars and other munitions were also found near the university in Khan Younis, where the IDF has been fighting Hamas terrorists for the last month. IDF forces are constantly finding terrorist infrastructure located in civilian areas in Gaza. For instance, Israeli forces recently discovered a tunnel shaft near a school and photos showing students training with weapons.

Related Analysis

“Hamas Developing Precision-Guided Munitions With Iranian Help,” FDD Flash Brief

“Hamas Uses Gaza Hospital as Headquarters,” FDD Flash Brief

“Hamas Terror Tunnel Next to UNRWA School in Gaza Destroyed,” FDD Flash Brief