Israeli troops on Wednesday said they discovered hundreds of rocket-propelled grenades, dozens of anti-tank missiles and other weapons stockpiled near a clinic and school in the northern Gaza Strip.
The Israel Defense Forces also uncovered long-range missiles aimed at central Israel, dozens of grenades and several one-way attack drones. IDF officials said it was one of the largest Hamas weapons depots they have come across since Israel launched its ground invasion of Gaza.
“The weapons were seized by soldiers. Some were destroyed on-site and some were sent for further investigation,” IDF officials said on their Telegram social messaging page. “All of the terrorist infrastructure was found close to civilian buildings in the heart of a civilian population.”
Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, the IDF chief of staff, said its troops have found Hamas weapons in “nearly every building” inside the Palestinian enclave. He said the terrorists often engage in battle from inside civilian homes.
“We understand that part of their method is storing weapons in the houses. A terrorist arrives in civilian clothing and conducts combat from there,” he said after the discovery of the most recent Hamas weapons cache. “The military pressure we are applying and have applied in recent weeks is severely damaging Hamas (and) advancing the achievement of the war’s objectives, with the top priority of returning all the hostages home.”
Israel declared war on Hamas following the terror group’s Oct. 7 attack that killed at least 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and resulted in about 240 people taken hostage. IDF officials said 138 are believed to be in Hamas captivity after a number of others were released in a short-lived truce.
• Mike Glenn can be reached at mglenn@washingtontimes.com.
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