IDF says it killed 120 terrorists, discovered weapons cache in UN-affiliated Gaza building
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) recently conducted raids on Hamas facilities in Gaza, resulting in the deaths of 120 terrorists and the destruction of 20 terrorist infrastructure sites, according to a joint statement made with the Israel Security Agency (ISA). The operations were carried out in the Shati and Tel al-Hawa regions of northern Gaza.
The IDF stated that their initial investigation of a tunnel shaft near a school run by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) led to the discovery of a underground tunnel used by Hamas' military intelligence. The shaft was located under the UNWA's headquarters in the Gaza Strip.
According to the IDF, a wide range of intelligence assets were seized during the raid of the 700-meter-long tunnel, which was used to operate against additional Hamas targets and weaken the group's intelligence capabilities.
During the raid on the UNWA headquarters, Israeli forces discovered a cache of weapons, including rifles, ammunition, grenades, and explosives. The discovery of the weapons cache further reinforced the link between the UNWA facility and Hamas terrorists, as intelligence documents seized in the operation confirmed that the UNWA offices were utilized by the group.
Following the Israeli military's operations, UNRA Commissioner-General Phillippe Lazzarini stated that his organization had no knowledge of the activities occurring under its headquarters in Gaza. He emphasized that UNRA officials have not used the compound since they left it prior to the Israeli evacuation orders.
Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant told Fox News Digital that dozens of UNRA employees participated in the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks and received salaries from various countries, implying that they were involved in rape, murder, and abduction of individuals.
Given the findings, the Israeli military stated that it would continue to operate against Hamas targets in Gaza, aiming to disrupt the group's military capabilities and destroy its infrastructure.