Israeli airstrikes targeted a Hamas command centre located inside a UNRWA school in Gaza, resulting in the deaths of 15 terrorists, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
The strike, which occurred on Saturday, targeted a war room embedded within the UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) school in Nuseirat. The IDF stated that at least 10 of the terrorists killed were members of Hamas, with the remaining belonging to other terror groups.
Among the Hamas operatives were members of the elite Nukhba force, which played a significant role in previous attacks on Israeli communities. The IDF provided detailed information, including a map of the school compound and the location of the Hamas war room.
According to the military, the war room had been used by Hamas to plan multiple attacks against IDF troops in central Gaza in recent weeks. The IDF accused Hamas of systematically exploiting civilian populations and institutions as human shields for their terrorist activities.
This incident adds to the ongoing scrutiny faced by UNRWA, which provides support to Palestinian refugees. Israeli officials have been calling for the agency to be stripped of its authority in Gaza and defunded, citing evidence of staff members participating in Hamas attacks.
Israeli intelligence reportedly identified 12 UNRWA staffers involved in the attacks, including the use of UNRWA vehicles and facilities. This led to Israel bypassing UNRWA in distributing humanitarian aid and freezing the agency's account over suspicious financial transfers.
In February, Israeli forces uncovered a Hamas complex beneath the UNRWA's Gaza City headquarters, revealing ties between Hamas and the agency. Reports also surfaced of UNRWA employees expressing support for attacks on social media and missiles being hidden among UNRWA relief supplies.
The targeting of the Hamas command centre inside a UNRWA school compound highlights the complex challenges faced in the region. It underscores the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, as well as the broader issues surrounding Palestinian refugees and the role of UNRWA.
Israeli officials have long criticised UNRWA's definition of refugees, which includes descendants in perpetuity, unlike the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). They argue for UNRWA's closure and for Palestinian refugees to be brought under the UNHCR's responsibility.
The October 7 attacks by Hamas on Israeli communities near the Gaza border resulted in significant casualties, including deaths and hostages. The incident further escalated tensions in the region and highlighted the security threats posed by Hamas's actions.
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