IDF Strikes Hamas and PIJ Terrorist Targets in Gaza, Civilian Infrastructure Exploited

On Sunday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) targeted Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) terrorists operating in key facilities across Gaza, including a command center embedded in what had previously been the UNRWA-operated "Sheikh Jamil School" in Khan Yunis. The school, also known as the "Ahmed Abdul Aziz School," was being used as a training compound by Hamas terrorists to plan attacks against IDF soldiers and Israel.

The IDF emphasized that extensive precautions were taken before the strike to minimize civilian harm, utilizing aerial surveillance, intelligence, and precision munitions. Despite these measures, the military highlighted that Hamas routinely exploits civilian infrastructure for its operations, violating international law by using schools, hospitals, and other civilian facilities as cover.

“The terrorists operated from a structure that previously served as a school, which is yet another example of how the terrorist organization systematically operates within civilian populations,” the IDF stated.

In another strike, the IDF also targeted a Hamas and PIJ command center embedded within the offices of the Civil Defense in the Nuseirat refugee camp. The attack resulted in the death of several terrorists, including PIJ platoon commander Ahmed Bakr al-Lawh. Al-Lawh was reported by Qatari network Al Jazeera to have worked as a journalist for the network, though the IDF identified him as a PIJ terrorist involved in planning and executing attacks against IDF forces.

While Al Jazeera disputed the IDF’s claims, asserting that al-Lawh was a press member, the IDF maintained that the target was an active terrorist threat.

"The targeting of a Civil Defense point in Nuseirat represents a violation of international laws by Hamas, who misuse humanitarian personnel for military purposes," the IDF explained.