Hamas Terrorists Caught Near Mosque Weapons Cache as Ceasefire Tensions Rise

Hamas terrorists attempted to reach a hidden weapons cache inside a mosque in an IDF-controlled area of the Gaza Strip, according to an Army Radio report on Tuesday. The incident occurred on the same day Hamas released the final living hostages under the ceasefire agreement.

The group of terrorists reportedly crossed the Yellow Line — the perimeter marking Israel’s withdrawal area following the US-brokered ceasefire — before being detected by an Israeli drone. The alert prompted an immediate IDF response, with soldiers intercepting and detaining the infiltrators before they reached their destination.

The targeted mosque, located less than a mile from the border fence opposite Kibbutz Nahal Oz, was previously used as a Hamas operational hub. Upon investigation, Israeli forces discovered that the compound had served as both a command center and a Nukhba training facility.

Inside the mosque, troops uncovered detailed models of Kibbutz Sa’ad and Kibbutz Alumim — Israeli communities attacked during the October 7 assault. Intelligence sources assessed that the site was one of the bases from which Nukhba terrorists had launched their deadly raids.

According to Army Radio, the IDF’s search of the compound revealed significant quantities of weaponry, including RPG missiles, explosives, and additional firearms hidden beneath the mosque’s floor. Officials described the discovery as further evidence of Hamas’s ongoing use of civilian infrastructure for military purposes.

“The mosque served as a strategic training ground where terrorists studied and rehearsed their attacks,” Army Radio reported, citing IDF intelligence findings. The discovery sheds light on the meticulous planning that characterized the Nukhba unit’s operations.

In the weeks following the foiled attempt, Hamas has repeatedly violated the ceasefire agreement. Israeli officials report multiple incidents in which militants tried to breach the Yellow Line or fired upon IDF positions.

In response, the IDF has bolstered its defensive presence along the border, increasing surveillance and launching targeted strikes on Hamas positions in Gaza. The military emphasized that it would “continue to respond firmly to any act of aggression or violation of the ceasefire.”

The latest development highlights the fragility of the ceasefire and underscores Israel’s ongoing security challenges in the wake of the October 7 attacks. As Hamas continues to test the boundaries of the truce, the risk of renewed conflict remains high despite international diplomatic efforts to sustain calm.