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IDF finds Hamas infrastructure within UNRWA HQ in Gaza

A raid of the Unrwa compound led to the discovery of rockets, drones, machine guns, grenades and UAV materials

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EDITORS NOTE: Graphic content / People walk on rubble as they inspect the damage at the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) building complex in western Gaza City's Al-Sinaa neighbouhood on July 12, 2024, following the withdrawal of Israeli troops from the area amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the militant Hamas group in the besieged Palestinian territory. (Photo by Omar AL-QATTAA / AFP) (Photo by OMAR AL-QATTAA/AFP via Getty Images)

The IDF  has discovered a complex of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad war rooms and a large cache of weapons embedded in the area of Gaza City’s Unrwa headquarters during raids this week.

Troops from the Commando Brigade’s combat team located extensive quantities of weapons in the Unrwa HQ compound, including parts for UAV assembly, tactical drones, rockets, machine guns, mortars, explosives, and grenades, according to the IDF. On Friday the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit released footage of the discovery, adding that soldiers also discovered war rooms used for surveillance operations.

The IDF also reported having discovered terror infrastructure inside a university building during scans of the vicinity, with soldiers allegedly finding a subterranean weapons and explosives manufacturing facility, though the report did not specify which university.

The news comes just days after the Israeli Foreign Ministry reportedly sent a list naming 100 Unrwa employees as members of Hamas to Unrwa chief Philippe Lazzarini and the numerous western nations who donate to the UN agency in Gaza, including the US and the UK.

In a joint operation with Shin Bet, the military reportedly began operations to uncover terror infrastructures within Unrwa earlier this week following intelligence information about the use of Unrwa facilities by Hamas and PIJ operatives.

On Wednesday, IDF troops of the 99th Division reportedly engaged in close-quarters combat with terrorists operating from the premises of the Unrwa HQ after opening an evacuation route for civilians.

Earlier this week, troops destroyed a Hamas command and control center located in a school and medical clinic that had been converted into terrorist infrastructure. Soldiers of the Rotem Battalion located dozens of weapons in the compound, including mortars, machine guns, grenades and Hamas intelligence documents hidden alongside equipment and Unrwa uniforms.

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