Israel Air Force Strikes Hamas Facility Hidden in Former UNRWA School in Gaza

On Sunday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched an airstrike on a Hamas command and control center embedded within what had been a United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) school in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza.

The school, known as the “Ahmed Abdul Aziz School” or “Sheikh Jamil School,” had been converted into a base for Hamas operatives, the IDF confirmed on Monday.

The attack targeted a facility being used by Hamas terrorists to plan and execute attacks against Israeli forces, the IDF stated.

According to military reports, the site was an active training compound, with operatives using the location to organize and execute terror activities aimed at Israeli soldiers and civilians.

The strike was carried out after extensive precautions to minimize civilian casualties, the IDF explained. These measures included aerial surveillance, intelligence gathering, and the use of precision-guided munitions.

Despite these efforts, the Israeli military emphasized the difficulties posed by Hamas’ tactics, which often involve using civilian infrastructure, including schools, as cover for militant operations.

“The terrorists operated from a structure that previously served as a school, which is yet another example of how the terrorist organization systematically operates within civilian populations,” the IDF said in a statement following the attack.

“The terrorist organizations in Gaza systematically violate international law, exploiting civilian infrastructure and using the Gazan population as human shields for their terrorist activities.”

The use of civilian sites for military operations has been a consistent issue in the Gaza Strip, complicating efforts to distinguish between combatants and non-combatants.

International bodies, including the United Nations, have expressed concern over the potential for such tactics to endanger innocent lives.

However, the IDF maintains that Hamas’ actions make it difficult to carry out operations without the risk of harming civilians.

The military also reiterated its commitment to minimizing harm to non-combatants, despite the challenges posed by Hamas’ strategy.

“The IDF will continue to act with determination against the terrorist organizations in Gaza, while making every effort to avoid civilian harm,” the statement concluded.

The IDF’s strike is part of ongoing operations in Gaza as the Israeli military continues its efforts to dismantle Hamas’ infrastructure, which has been implicated in numerous attacks against Israeli targets.

The conflict in Gaza remains highly contentious, with both sides accusing the other of violating international law.