Edited by: Fern Sidman

Israeli soldiers conducting a sweep of a Hamas-operated area near schools, a mosque, and a medical facility in Gaza uncovered a disturbing weapons compound, including explosive belts adapted for children, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced over the weekend, as was reported by the New York Post. The find sheds light on the ongoing tactics employed by Hamas, as the IDF reveals the presence of weaponry concealed in civilian spaces, raising concerns about the group’s potential use of child fighters in the conflict, the report added.

מתוך בית ספר: מחבל יורה לעבר לוחמי צוות הקרב של חטיבת הנח”ל ומחוסל במקום

לוחמי צוות הקרב של חטיבת הנח”ל באוגדה 162 פשטו על מרחב בתי הספר “אל רפאא” ו-“צבחה” בדרג’ תופאח שבצפון הרצועה, בעקבות מידע על מחבלי חמאס המסתתרים בתוך בתי הספר>> pic.twitter.com/SZXrVZbZmh

— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) December 25, 2023

The IDF’s discovery included explosive belts specifically modified for children, signaling a disturbing strategy by Hamas to involve young individuals in their hostilities. According to the Post report, the weapons cache found in the compound comprised dozens of mortar shells, hundreds of grenades, and several intelligence documents. The IDF reported that the raid on the compound occurred after Israeli troops neutralized seven Hamas terrorists operating in the building.

A similar raid was conducted at a Gaza school functioning as a shelter for Palestinian refugees. The information in the Post report indicated that subsequent to the evacuation of the refugees, Israeli forces discovered rows of grenades, RPG missiles, explosives, and firearm ammunition, underscoring the alarming trend of utilizing civilian spaces for military purposes.

In a separate incident, the IDF troops found toy boxes filled with mortar shells, warheads, and RPG-type anti-tank missiles inside another kindergarten in Gaza, as per the report in the Post. This discovery adds to the growing evidence of Hamas using civilian institutions to store weapons and conduct military operations.

The IDF did not specify the exact locations of the raids in Gaza but emphasized its widespread operations across all areas of the Palestinian enclave, including efforts to address the underground tunnel system employed by Hamas, the Post report said.

The developments come amid intensified hostilities, with at least 14 Israeli soldiers killed in southern Gaza since Friday, according to the Post report. The toll includes casualties from conflicts and anti-tank missile attacks. As Israeli forces advance across Gaza, they face a complex challenge in dismantling Hamas’s tunnel network and rooting out terrorists hidden in civilian infrastructure.

As the situation unfolds, reports indicate gunfire near the Rafah Crossing from Egypt into southern Gaza, causing chaos in an area crucial for aid distribution, as was noted in the Post report.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has emphasized the heavy toll the war is exacting while reiterating the commitment to eliminate Hamas, the Post report said. With 153 IDF soldiers killed since the ground incursion began in October, Netanyahu insists that the ongoing military operations are necessary to achieve victory and fulfill Israel’s goals in the region.

In a statement to his war cabinet, Netanyahu acknowledged the significant price Israel is paying in terms of casualties but asserted that the country has no choice but to press on with the fight, according to the report in the Post. He emphasized the resolve to continue the operation “until the end, until victory, until we reach all our goals.”

Simultaneously, negotiators are engaged in talks to secure another temporary pause in hostilities to facilitate the release of Israeli hostages still held captive in Gaza by the Hamas terrorists. The Post reported that Egypt, leading the negotiations along with Qatar, has proposed a two-week truce in exchange for 40 hostages, including women, minors, and elderly men.

On Monday, it was reported that the Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror groups have rejected an Egyptian proposal that would see Hamas give up control of the Strip in return for a permanent ceasefire.

According to two Egyptian sources cited by the Reuters news agency, the plan has been rejected by both of the terror groups. Hamas and PIJ are said to be unwilling to discuss any concessions beyond the release of hostages.

Israel has outlined its priorities in the exchange, emphasizing the need to prioritize those dealing with illness, the Post report said. In return, Israel would release 120 Palestinians, specifically women and minors, currently held in its prisons. The proposed deal also includes the withdrawal of Israeli tanks from Gaza and the provision of additional humanitarian aid to the nearly 2 million displaced people in the Palestinian enclave, according to the report in the Post.

The Egyptian proposal consists of three phases. As was reported by the Post, the first phase involves the temporary ceasefire and hostage exchange, the second phase calls for the formation of a technocratic government in Gaza focused on reconstruction, and the third phase envisions a comprehensive de-escalation of the conflict, including the release of all remaining hostages.

The evolving situation underscores the complex nature of the Israel-Hamas conflict, with both military and diplomatic efforts playing crucial roles in shaping the future of the region.