Israeli jet fighters struck a university in the Gaza Strip that Hamas was using as a training camp for military intelligence operatives and to produce weapons, Israel Defense Forces officials said Wednesday.
IDF officials called the Islamic University in Gaza City an “important operational, political and military center” for Hamas, which also used academic conferences held there to raise funds for terrorist activities.
“The university maintained close ties with the senior leadership of Hamas,” IDF officials said Wednesday in a briefing.
Islamic University told Agence France-Presse that the “intense” airstrikes completely destroyed some of the buildings on campus.
“No one can enter it due to the fires, and the rocks and rubble scattered on the roads surrounding the university,” Islamic University official Ahmed Orabi told AFP.
Israel launched the airstrikes as part of its campaign against the Hamas terrorist organization following Saturday’s stunning wave of assaults that have resulted in more than 1,200 Israelis dead and 2,700 wounded, according to IDF officials.
SEE ALSO: ‘Nightmare’: American in Israel says 5 family members taken captive by Hamas
• Mike Glenn can be reached at mglenn@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.