Weapons and Tunnel at Gaza’s Al-Azhar University Uncovered by IDF

Latest Developments

Israeli troops uncovered terrorist infrastructure at Al-Azhar University in Gaza, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on December 8. The university is located in northern Gaza’s Rimal neighborhood, which was the scene of fighting in November. The IDF said that troops located “an underground tunnel that ran from the university’s yard and continues to a school one kilometer away.” In addition, the IDF found explosives, parts for rockets, and other material related to Hamas terrorism. “The findings show that Hamas exploited the university’s building for attacks against our forces,” the IDF said. The IDF also published photos showing the weapons it found.

Expert Analysis

“Hamas created a massive network of tunnels and weapons storage facilities underneath and within civilian areas in Gaza. The terrorist group purposely exploited educational institutions and hospitals, knowing that it would be more difficult for Israel to target these areas. The ground operation by Israel in Gaza has uncovered the extent of Hamas crimes and its attempt to use civilian areas to shield its terrorist threats.” — Seth J. Frantzman, FDD Adjunct Fellow

“It should not come as a surprise that evidence revealing Hamas’s cynical use of civilian infrastructure in the Gaza Strip is surfacing. As the IDF progresses further southward, more incriminating proof will likely come to light.” — Joe Truzman, Research Analyst at FDD’s Long War Journal

Hamas Observation Post Near Shati Hospital

Israeli forces operating in Gaza found a Hamas observation control room near the Shati Hospital, the IDF said on December 8. The room contained 200 communication devices and dozens of cameras used for facilitating terrorism, according to an IDF statement. “In the area of the Hamas observation control room, an operational tunnel shaft, magazines, grenades, a sniper post, military equipment and firing holes were also located,” the IDF said in a statement posted via WhatsApp. In November, the IDF revealed a tunnel underneath Shifa Hospital in Gaza.

Hamas Fires Rockets From Humanitarian Zone in Gaza

Palestinian terrorists have repeatedly launched rockets from humanitarian safe zones in the southern Gaza Strip, marking a new threat to civilian safety, the IDF said on December 7. “Hamas terrorists launched 12 rockets toward Israeli civilians in the city of Beersheba in southern Israel” on December 6, the military said. “The rockets were launched from near tents of evacuated Gazan civilians in Rafah in southern Gaza and from next to United Nations facilities.” Hours earlier, terrorists also fired a rocket that “misfired, putting many Gazan civilians at risk.”

Related Analysis

“Dozens of Terror Targets in Khan Younis Struck by Israel,” FDD Flash Brief

“10 Things to Know About Hamas and Hospitals,” FDD Insight

“Hidden Hamas Headquarters at Gaza Hospital Reached by Israeli Forces,” FDD Flash Brief