IDF troops find weapons and explosives inside Gaza kindergarten
Shocking footage released by the Israel Defence Forces on Sunday purports to show weapons and explosive devices stashed by Hamas inside a nursery in Gaza.
Israel has long claimed that Hamas uses the residents of Gaza as human shields by hiding among the civilian population. Tel Aviv claims that Hamas’s headquarters in Gaza is located under al-Shifa hospital – the biggest in the enclave where tens of thousands were sheltering.
The IDF footage begins in what Israel claims is a kindergarten. Colourful drawings adorn the walls of the abandoned room.
In IDF-provided English subtitles, a soldier explains they found “two very large explosive charge blocks” and “two sacks full of ammunition” near a bed when they entered the building.
On X (formerly Twitter), the IDF said: “Explosives. Inside a kindergarten. The 551st Brigade exposed and destroyed weaponry found in civilian areas over the past two weeks, as well as dozens of tunnel openings.”
This isn’t the first time that the IDF has claimed Hamas is using children’s facilities to hide weapons or positions.
Earlier this month, Israel released photo and video evidence that it says shows rocket launching systems hidden inside a Boy Scout’s facility.
The launchers, which the IDF says were aimed at Israel, were stationed across the room from colourful murals showing kids playing outside.
The Hamas-run health agency says that more than 11,000 people have been killed since the war began on October 7. Israel says it is doing everything in its power to avoid civilian deaths but that Hamas hides among the Gaza population without allowing them to flee.
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Fighting is currently al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza – the strip’s largest medical centre. Israeli officials have described a labyrinth of Hamas tunnels and command centres beneath the compound.
It’s unclear how Israel would be able to clear this area without fighting directly in and underneath the hospital grounds, however, the operation is fraught with diplomatic risk.
The United States and other allies have already criticised the high civilian death toll in Gaza with Secretary of State Antony Blinken stating: “Far too many Palestinians have been killed.”
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