Unveiling Hamas Weapon Factories in Bureij: A Closer Look at Israel’s Military Operations
In Bureij, Israel’s military recently provided a rare glimpse into what they claim to be a cluster of weapons factories and tunnels operated by Hamas militants. These sites, seemingly regular cement factories and industrial facilities, allegedly manufactured rockets.
During a media tour led by soldiers in the Bureij refugee camp, the army disclosed that seemingly innocuous structures were, in fact, producing missiles and shells stored in deep shafts. Inside a large hut, bathed in sunlight, spokesman Daniel Hagari showcased what he claimed were detonators for rockets capable of reaching targets 100 kilometers away, covering a significant portion of central and southern Israel. He disclosed the factory’s strategic location on Salah al-Din Road, a crucial north-south route for humanitarian aid transport.
The military asserted that this discovery marked “the largest weapons production site found since the beginning of the war.” Reported tunnels, reaching 30 meters in depth, create a vast network linking Hamas fighters throughout Gaza.
Bureij, formerly home to over 45,000 people, now bears the scars of conflict, with many residents fleeing the violence. Israeli bulldozers are at work in the area, attempting to flatten and secure the land.
According to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the military has successfully dismantled the Hamas military framework in northern Gaza, extending its operations to central and southern regions. The prime minister maintains that the war cannot conclude until Hamas no longer poses a threat to Israel. Meanwhile, the United Nations warns that ongoing fighting risks rendering Gaza uninhabitable.
On October 7, Hamas attacked southern Israel, causing about 1,140 deaths, mainly civilians. According to Israeli reports, 250 hostages were seized, 132 remain captive, and at least 25 are presumed dead.
Israel’s response, characterized by relentless bombardment and ground invasions, has taken a heavy toll, with at least 23,084 casualties reported, predominantly women and children, according to Gaza health authorities.