Amid ongoing combat operations in the Gaza Strip, the IDF on Sunday yet again exposed Hamas’s exploitation of the civilian population by locating rocket launchers in civilian areas, including playgrounds, a children’s pool, and an old amusement park.

The IDF spokesperson stated, “During fighting in the Gaza Strip, IDF soldiers are exposing how the Hamas terror organization systematically uses civilian facilities for its terror activity. IDF soldiers located rocket launchers near a children’s swimming pool, as well as launch pits and rocket launchers in an old children’s playground in the Gaza Strip. This is further proof of Hamas’s deliberate use of civilian infrastructure and civilians, including children, as human shields for its military operations.”

Hamas has ordered civilians in northern Gaza to remain in place, disregarding IDF warnings and calls for them to evacuate to the southern part of the Gaza Strip to escape the conflict. This tactic is part of Hamas’s strategy to employ human shields to deter Israeli strikes against its fighters, leaders, and weapons, and to maximize civilian casualties, which they hope will generate global condemnation of Israel’s efforts to defend its citizens.

Reports have accused Hamas of shooting and killing dozens of civilians, including women and children, who were attempting to flee to southern Gaza. Many of the victims were said to be carrying white flags. According to author and journalist Amjad Taha, Hamas intends to use civilians as human shields and eliminate anyone attempting to leave. Hamas typically blames Israel for such incidents, and there is media that propagates this narrative.

The IDF disclosed that 200 Hamas terrorists involved in the Oct. 7 attack in Israel had fled into Gaza and were hiding in Shifa Hospital in Gaza City. Hamas is believed to have constructed a command center beneath the hospital.

Overnight Motzoei Shabbos, IDF troops directed aircraft to strike a Hamas military compound containing command and control centers, observation posts, and other terrorist infrastructure.

Throughout the combined operations involving ground, air, and naval forces in the Gaza Strip since the beginning of the conflict, over 2,500 terror targets have been successfully targeted.

Source: Hamodia