Army: Tunnel next to kindergarten
Israel announces capture of Hamas base
November 9, 2023, 12:31 p.m
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The Israeli army claims to have captured a Hamas base in the middle of the refugee district of Jabalia. There are also said to be entrances to the terrorist organization’s tunnel system, one of which is said to be next to a kindergarten.
According to the army, Israeli ground troops have captured a base of the Islamist Hamas after fierce fighting in the northern Gaza Strip. This is in the refugee district of Jabalia, the military said. It was said that both Hamas and Islamic Jihad were involved in the ten-hour-long battle.
Many towns in the north of the Gaza Strip have been largely destroyed in the war that began more than a month ago. Videos released by Hamas show fighting among the ruins. Hamas fighters are repeatedly seen firing anti-tank missiles at Israeli tanks.
Hamas “operation plans” found
The Israeli troops “killed terrorists, seized many weapons and uncovered tunnel shafts” in Jabalia, the Israeli statement said. One of the tunnel shafts was located next to a kindergarten and led to an extensive underground tunnel system. “Important operational material relating to the enemy’s operational plans” was also found at the base.
Israel believes that Hamas’ military and political leadership is hiding in the underground tunnel system in the Gaza Strip. At least some of the 239 hostages that Hamas and others kidnapped in the massacre in Israel are also believed to be there.
Just over a week ago, an Israeli airstrike on a building in Jabalia had serious consequences. After the attack, a crater of destruction could be seen in the refugee district, and the Palestinian side reported dozens of deaths. The army said a mastermind of the October 7 massacre and 50 other terrorists were killed in Jabalia. According to the UN, Jabalia is the largest refugee district in the Gaza Strip.