Israeli soldiers found Hamas explosive belts adapted for children and a toy box hiding a warhead in a Gaza kindergarten, the army said over the weekend.
The Israel Defense Forces said sweeps of Hamas-held areas near schools, mosques and medical facilities turned up weapons complexes filled with countless explosives.
In the area, the IDF found explosive belts specially modified for use by children, along with dozens of mortar rounds, hundreds of grenades and several intelligence documents, it said Sunday.
The raid on the compound was carried out after the Israeli army took out seven Hamas terrorists in the building.
A similar raid took place at a Gaza school that serves as a shelter for Palestinian refugees, the IDF said.
The IDF found explosive belts adapted for use by children during a raid on a Hamas weapons compound. The raid found dozens of mortar shells, hundreds of grenades and several intelligence documents. Israel Defense Forces Another IDF investigation found a hidden warhead in a toy box in a Gaza kindergarten. Israel Defense Forces
After the refugees were evacuated, the sweep of the building gave rise to rows and rows of grenades, RPG missiles, explosives and gunshots.
The gruesome discovery came just a day after the IDF announced that it had found another cache of weapons inside a kindergarten.
“IDF soldiers found a toy box filled with dozens of mortar shells, warheads and RPG-type anti-tank missiles in a kindergarten in Gaza,” the Israeli military said in a statement.
The Israeli military has long accused Hamas of hiding its members and weapons inside civilian areas in Gaza, with small explosive belts showing the terror group is trying to use child fighters in its war against Israel.
The IDF did not say which area of Gaza the raid took place, as Jewish forces advanced across all areas of the Palestinian enclave – and added underground forces to crush the enemy in its complex tunnel system.
Rows of confiscated weapons lay in the middle of a school housing Palestinian refugees. Israel Defense Forces
The development came as gunfire broke out Sunday near the crucial Rafah Crossing from Egypt to southern Gaza, creating “absolute chaos” around where aid trucks are allowed to pass, CNN reported. It is not clear who opened fire on the crowd.
At least 14 Israeli soldiers have been killed in southern Gaza since Friday in one of the bloodiest 48 hours since the war began on Oct. 7.
At least four soldiers were killed when their vehicle was hit by an anti-tank missile, according to Israel Military Radio, with 10 others killed in separate conflicts.
A total of 153 IDF soldiers have been killed since the ground invasion began in October, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu describing the casualties as the price paid to eliminate Hamas once and for all.
“War demands a very high price from us but we have no choice but to continue fighting,” he told his war cabinet Sunday. “We continue with all our strength, until the end, until victory, until we achieve all our goals.”
Weapons found at the school included firearms, ammunition and RPG explosives. Israel Defense Forces
Meanwhile, negotiators are seeking another temporary lull in hostilities to help free dozens of Israeli hostages still being held in Gaza.
Israeli officials confirmed that Egypt, which is leading talks with Qatar, has submitted a ceasefire proposal that would see hostilities cease for two weeks in exchange for 40 hostages, including women, minors and elderly men, the Times of Israel said.
Israel has stated that it wants those dealing with illness to be given priority in the exchange.
In return, the Jewish state will release 120 Palestinians held in its prisons, mainly women and minors, according to a report from the Saudi-based Asharq channel.
Conflict continues to erupt across Gaza, with Israeli tanks opening fire in the south on Sunday. AFP via Getty Images
The swap deal will be finalized with the withdrawal of Israeli tanks from Gaza and the arrival of more humanitarian aid to the nearly 2 million people displaced in the Palestinian enclave.
The second phase of Egypt’s plan would call on the Palestinian Authority to meet with Hamas officials and form a technocratic government focused on rebuilding the Gaza Strip and paving the way for the people to have a parliamentary government and presidential elections.
The final phase will see the de-escalation of the war along with the release of all hostages remaining in Gaza in return for Palestinian prisoners affiliated with Hamas and the Islamic Jihad terrorist group.
Destroyed buildings are now a common sight in Gaza’s Rafah area after Israel’s latest attack. AFP via Getty Images
In this final phase, Israel will agree to withdraw its troops from Gaza and allow residents to return to their homes.
The Egyptian plan was announced after a meeting between officials in Cairo and Hamas’ top political leader Ismail Haniyeh that began last week.
It remains unclear whether Israel would agree to such a ceasefire, as the Jewish state has repeatedly stated that it does not want the Palestinian Authority, or any foreign power, to be involved in Gaza after the war.
Netanyahu has also reiterated for weeks that regardless of any temporary ceasefire, Israel will not end its operations in Gaza until all of Hamas is captured or eliminated.
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