The Gaza Operation - What Hamas military targets did the IDF strike?

                                                                                         

Consistent with the principle of distinction, IDF forces attacked military targets directly connected to Hamas and other terrorist organizations' military activities against Israel. IDF forces targeted Hamas rocket launchers, weapons stockpiles, command and control facilities, weapons factories, explosives laboratories, training facilities and communications infrastructure, often concealed or embedded in civilian facilities such as residential buildings, schools, or mosques. In accordance with the Law of Armed Conflict, civilian facilities that served military purposes did not enjoy protection from attack. Below is an illustrative account of military targets struck by the IDF during the operation:

• Hamas' bases, posts and headquarters:

* Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades and Executive Force headquarters in the northern Gaza Strip (struck on December 27th)
* Headquarters and weapons store of the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades at Tel Zaatar, in the Jabaliya area (struck on December 27th)
* Hamas' Al-Islam post in the northern Gaza Strip (struck on December 27th)
* Hamas' main headquarters compound in Gaza City (struck on December 27th)
* Hamas post and training camp in the central Gaza Strip (struck on 27 December 27th)
* Hamas training camp in the southern Gaza Strip (struck on December 27th).
* Headquarters and weapons storage belonging to the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades and the Special Force (struck on December 27th).
* An Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades training outpost in the Al-Maqusi towers in the northern Gaza Strip (struck on December 28th).
* Ismail Haniyah's office in the Hamas compound in Gaza City (struck on December 31st).

• Hamas' armament production and storage sites:

* Research and development center in the Islamic University in Gaza (struck on December 28th): Hamas used the site to develop rockets with improved launching range.
* Throughout the operation, the IAF attacked dozens of workshops and weapon stores, many of them located in the houses of Hamas operatives and public buildings (including mosques).

• Rocket and mortar launch sites:

* Throughout the operation, the IAF attacked areas regularly used to launch rockets and mortars against Israel.

• Smuggling tunnels:

* Throughout the operation, IDF attacked dozens of tunnels along the Philadelphi route used for smuggling arms, ammunition and terrorist operatives, for terrorist attacks against Israel, from Sinai to the Gaza Strip.

• Mosques used by Hamas for military purposes:

* A Mosque in the Tel al-Hawa neighborhood of Gaza City (struck on December 31st). The mosque served as an arms storage facility and a launching site for terrorist activity. The strike caused a long series of secondary explosions from armaments and ammunition that were stored in the mosque (including rockets, some of which were long-range Grad rockets).
* Al-Khulafa mosque in Jabaliya (struck on January 1st): The mosque was a focal point of the Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades' terrorist activities. The strike on the mosque was followed by a long series of secondary explosions, indicating that a large quantity of hidden weapons and ammunition had been stockpiled in it.

It should be noted that Israeli forces have come under criticism from various international organizations for attacking a number of Hamas targets, such as various "ministries" operated by Hamas, which were alleged to be civilian in nature. Many of the ostensibly civilian elements of the Hamas regime are in reality active components of its terrorist and military efforts. The IDF made the determination that the attacks were lawful under international law. All of these strikes were carefully planned and executed in a manner that minimized the risk to civilians.

About the author: For more information visit Gaza Facts website. Article Source: http://www.Free-Articles-Zone.com