Report shows deceit as weapon of choice
Civilian structures are used by Hamas ‘for sniper posts, intelligence gathering, launching anti-tank fire, and hiding in tunnel shafts for the purpose of killing and kidnapping Israeli soldiers.’
Daily TribuneCivilian structures are used by Hamas ‘for sniper posts, intelligence gathering, launching anti-tank fire, and hiding in tunnel shafts for the purpose of killing and kidnapping Israeli soldiers.’
Unbridled treachery is the hallmark of Hamas in the current conflict in Gaza, an Israeli government document detailing the strategies of the terror group showed.
Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a report on the war and the findings of the ground troops that are conducting an offensive against the terror group in northern Gaza.
Two Filipinos are believed to be among the 247 hostages in the hands of Hamas, whose freedom is among the objectives of the Israeli push inside Gaza.
The Israel Defense Forces said Hamas uses the civilian population to frustrate IDF operations and exploit the unintended harm to civilians for propaganda purposes.
Civilian structures are used by Hamas "for sniper posts, intelligence gathering, launching anti-tank fire, and hiding in tunnel shafts for the purpose of killing and kidnapping Israeli soldiers," according to the report.
In Gaza, many houses and roads are booby-trapped. Vast tunnels and bunkers lie under entire neighborhoods, and command centers are located under "specially protected sites such as hospitals," the report said.
Hamas made use of the advance notices given by the IDF to civilians "to prepare ambushes and defenses," resulting in Israeli soldiers being killed and wounded.
The report indicated that it is not possible to effectively respond to the humanitarian situation in Gaza "without appreciating that the greatest humanitarian threat to Palestinians in Gaza is that they live under the control of a brutal terrorist regime that has shown no regard for their wellbeing, used its resources for a massive military buildup and attacks, and has systematically taken for itself the aid designated for the civilian population."
Outrage over the humanitarian crisis in the war zone must be directed at Hamas, which appeared to have orchestrated a deteriorated situation in the area of conflict.
The humanitarian situation has significantly worsened "as a result of Hamas's blocking supply lines and border crossings, its exploitation of relief destined for civilian use, and its hoarding of commodities, such as fuel, for military purposes."
Hoarded essentials
"Currently, massive stockpiles of fuel, medical, and other supplies, all designated for hospitals and general civilian use, have been hoarded by Hamas and used to sustain its military operations and attacks on Israel."
The report cited the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East's social media statement that Hamas stole tens of thousands of liters of fuel from its warehouses.
The UN agency, nonetheless, later removed the message.
The report said genuine concern for the humanitarian situation must include an unequivocal demand for Hamas "to release the reserves it is denying the civilian population, and ensuring that effective mechanisms are in place so that humanitarian assistance reaches its intended civilian destination and is not sustaining the terrorists that are endangering both Israeli and Palestinian lives."
Hamas rocket fire has damaged 9 of 10 electricity lines coming from Israel, which supply about 50 percent of the electricity in Gaza, the rest being produced locally.
On 7 October, Hamas attacked and significantly damaged the main crossing for Palestinian civilians into Israel, through which, before that, almost 20,000 Gazan workers passed daily.
Hamas also killed and abducted the Israeli personnel manning the crossing, according to the report.
The report said that in recent years, Israel had facilitated the installation of alternative energy sources, such as solar panels, for most essential services in Gaza; that 90 percent of Gaza's water does not ordinarily come from Israel, but it still supplies water to Gaza up to now, including fixing pipes damaged by Hamas fire.
"Israel remains committed to ensuring and expanding access to humanitarian assistance by Palestinian civilians, but international law does not require it to do so in a manner that enables that assistance to be diverted or exploited to sustain Hamas's capabilities to attack Israel and its citizens," the report added.
Ambulances transport weapons
Meanwhile, the IDF admitted that an Israeli aircraft had struck an ambulance that was identified as being used by a Hamas terrorist cell close to their position in the battle zone.
"Several Hamas terrorist operatives were killed in the strike. We intend to release more detailed information. We have information which demonstrates that Hamas's method of operation is to transfer terror operatives and weapons in ambulances," according to IDF.
"We emphasize that this area is a battle zone. Civilians in the area are repeatedly called upon to evacuate southwards for their safety," the IDF said.