Documents Reveal Exploitation of Mosques in Gaza for Terrorist Purposes

Throughout the war, the Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorist organizations have repeatedly used mosques for terrorist purposes and to promote and carry out military operations.

Based on intelligence collected by the IDF during the ground operation as well as identifications from IDF soldiers in the field, Hamas and the Islamic Jihad embedded weapons storage facilities, tunnel entrances and operational gathering points in dozens of mosques in the Gaza Strip.

Hamas documents showing the use of mosques for terrorist purposes and affiliation of Imams with Hamas

Translations are provided

Documents collected by the IDF recently in Khan Yunis reveal the influence of Hamas on the religious leadership in the Gaza Strip and demonstrate the extent of Hamas's infiltration into local religious leadership positions with the intent of promoting hate speech, instigating violence and encouraging civilians to join terrorist groups.

The exploitation of religious leaders and mosques by terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip for promoting terrorism, storing explosives and carrying out attacks represents the grave misuse of religious institutions for military operations, effectively turning worshippers into human shields.

Hamas and the Islamic Jihad spare no effort exploiting religious institutions in the Gaza Strip for terrorist purposes, putting Gaza’s civilians at risk.

Two Hamas-affiliated Imams who used their mosques for terrorist activities:

Rocket launch sites and terrorist tunnel shafts located next to mosques in Gaza