Israeli aircraft conducted a strike on a Hamas command center located inside a UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) school, resulting in the death of 15 terrorists, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The strike, which occurred on Saturday in the central Gaza area of Nuseirat, targeted a war room embedded within the school compound.
The IDF reported that among the 15 killed, at least 10 were members of Hamas, including elite Nukhba force members who were involved in recent attacks on Israeli communities. The remaining individuals were identified as members of other terror groups. The IDF released a map indicating the location of the Hamas war room within the UNRWA school compound.
In its statement, the IDF accused Hamas of using civilian infrastructure as shields for its terrorist activities against Israel. This incident further intensifies the scrutiny on UNRWA, which has faced criticism and calls for defunding over allegations of staff involvement in terrorist activities, including the recent October 7 attacks.
Israeli intelligence reportedly uncovered links between UNRWA staff and Hamas, with instances of using UNRWA facilities and vehicles during attacks. This led to Israel’s largest bank freezing UNRWA’s account over suspicious financial transfers.
The conflict underscores broader tensions between Israel and UNRWA, with Israeli officials advocating for the agency’s closure and the transfer of Palestinian refugee responsibilities to the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). The UNRWA’s definition of refugees, which includes descendants in perpetuity, differs from the UNHCR’s criteria.
The recent strike follows previous discoveries of Hamas facilities beneath UNRWA premises, raising questions about the agency’s oversight and neutrality in the region.
The Palestinian-Israeli conflict continues to escalate, with both sides facing international scrutiny and calls for diplomatic resolutions amid ongoing violence and humanitarian concerns.