Israel's military said it destroyed five Hamas weapons storage facilities across the Gaza Strip overnight Saturday, in an operation coordinated with the Shin Bet. One of the depots, located adjacent to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah, was used as a hideout for Hamas operatives and stored Kalashnikov rifles, explosives, anti-tank launchers, and ammunition. The weapons were intended for attacks against IDF troops and Israeli civilians, the IDF stated.
The IDF and Shin Bet confirmed Friday night that they destroyed five Hamas weapons storage facilities across the Gaza Strip, including one located adjacent to the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah. The depot near the hospital contained Kalashnikov rifles, explosive devices, anti-tank launchers, and ammunition, and was used as a hideout for Hamas terror operatives, the military stated. The weapons were intended for attacks against IDF troops and Israeli civilians.
The confirmation followed a rapid sequence of unverified reports that began at 18:55 Jerusalem on Friday, when security analyst Yair Goldblatt reported a drone strike in Deir al-Balah. Subsequent reports indicated casualties from the strike, and journalist Yossi Eliezer, citing the 301 Arab World outlet, reported heavy damage in the area. A fourth update suggested the strike targeted a suspected Hamas ammunition depot. The IDF's official announcement provided the most detailed and authoritative account, confirming the scope of the operation and the specific location near the hospital.
The operation is part of a broader IDF campaign to dismantle Hamas military infrastructure in the Gaza Strip. As The Zioneer reported on June 29, the IDF struck a Hamas underground facility in Deir al-Balah for the second time in days, accusing the group of violating the ceasefire by rehabilitating the tunnel. On July 29, The Zioneer reported that the IDF struck a Hamas weapons storage site inside a mosque, highlighting the group's systematic use of civilian infrastructure for military purposes. The military has repeatedly accused Hamas of exploiting hospitals, schools, and mosques to shield its operations.
Earlier reports of casualties from the initial strike remain unverified by the IDF. The military's statement did not address the number of casualties or provide details on the other four weapons depots targeted in the overnight operation.
7 developments
- StrongIDF, Shin Bet destroyed four Hamas weapons depots in Gaza overnight, accuse Hamas of systematic ceasefire violations
- StrongIDF: Hamas weapons storage sites struck in central and northern Gaza over the past week, including one inside a mosque
- StrongIDF: Overnight strike destroyed four Hamas weapons warehouses in central Gaza, weapons meant for attacks along yellow line
- DevelopingIDF: Overnight strikes in Gaza dismantled weapons storage, production site, rocket launch site
Source and signal
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