Title: Israeli Military Uncovers Tunnels Under UNRWA Headquarters in Gaza
In a recent discovery that has further strained relations in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the Israeli military has uncovered tunnels underneath the main headquarters of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) in Gaza City.
Accusing Hamas militants of using these tunnels, Israeli officials have alleged that the space beneath the UNRWA facility was being utilized as an electrical supply room. These claims have resulted in major donor states suspending their funding to the agency and launching investigations, as Israel accuses UNRWA of collaborating with Hamas.
To provide evidence of Hamas militants operating in the tunnels, the Israeli army invited journalists to view the recently discovered tunnel. Stretching for at least half a kilometer, the underground passageways have decimated the UNRWA headquarters, which now lay in ruins.
Amidst the turmoil, UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini has called for an independent inquiry into the allegations made by Israel. However, due to the ongoing war, such an investigation is currently impossible to carry out.
Inside the tunnel, soldiers guided journalists to an underground room that served as a hub for powering the tunnel infrastructure in the area. The military showcased a range of weapons and explosives that were allegedly uncovered in the facility, including rifles, ammunition, grenades, and explosives, further suggesting its use by Hamas militants.
This development comes in the wake of an offensive by Israel against Gaza following a Hamas attack in October 2024, which resulted in the death of approximately 1,200 individuals and extensive damage to the strip. UNRWA’s headquarters were not spared from the consequences, as the buildings now bear the scars of bullet holes and shrapnel from the Israeli offensive.
As tensions between Israel and Palestine escalate, the discovery of the tunnels beneath the UNRWA headquarters has added another layer to the complex conflict. The fallout from these allegations, coupled with the ongoing war, has further complicated efforts to maintain stability in the region, leaving many concerned about the fate of innocent civilians caught in the crossfire.
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