After Hamas attack, Israeli army raided the school, tunnels were found inside; explosive material was recovered

The Israel Defense Forces said on Thursday that the tunnel where three soldiers were killed was underneath a Rafah medical clinic. The IDF said the compound also housed a UN Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) school, where tunnel shafts and weapons were found.

The IDF said soldiers raided the UN Relief and Works Agency school after Hamas militants fired anti-tank rockets inside the building. The compound where the school is located also houses a health clinic and a mosque.

Three soldiers killed in tunnel

Bombs were found in the tunnel beneath the clinic, where they exploded, killing three soldiers and wounding four others. Inside the UNRWA school, soldiers found tunnel shafts, uniforms and weapons, including a large number of grenades.

UNRWA has been facing criticism following revelations that its staff took part in Hamas’ October 7 attacks. Israeli authorities have demanded that the agency be stripped of its powers in Gaza and denied funding.

Crackdown on UNRWA

On Wednesday, the Knesset approved the first reading of a law authorizing the Foreign Ministry to designate UNRWA as a terrorist organization and deprive it of its diplomatic immunity, tax-exempt status and other legal benefits.

Also on Wednesday, the Israel Lands Authority ordered UNRWA to vacate its Jerusalem offices due to violations of its lease. Israel’s largest bank froze UNRWA’s account in February due to suspicious financial transfers, which the agency failed to adequately explain.