What’s happening

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) has uncovered that certain mosques in the West Bank have been used by terrorists for hostile activities against Israel. The Jabriyat Mosque and the Khalid Ibn al-Walid Mosque in Jenin, as well as the Abu Bakr al-Siddiq Mosque in Tulkarm, were identified as sites where terrorists have operated.

Why it matters

This revelation highlights the challenges the IDF faces in dealing with threats emanating from civilian infrastructure which are exploited by terrorists. It underscores the complex nature of the security operations aimed at protecting Israeli lives while making efforts to minimize harm to civilian structures and the local population.

The Details

Since October 2023, in the wake of a multi-front conflict, at least 165 terrorists have been neutralized in more than 110 precision air strikes conducted by the IDF in the West Bank. Key locations misused by terrorists include several mosques where evidence of training and hostile activities against IDF personnel have been discovered.

Specific incidents include an attack on IDF soldiers from the Jabriyat Mosque, leading to the discovery of a training and operational shooting range inside the mosque. Similarly, involved terrorists engaged IDF forces from the Khalid Ibn al-Walid Mosque during IDF operations.

Furthermore, terrorists were observed by IDF aircraft while throwing explosives from the roof of the Abu Bakr al-Siddiq Mosque, exemplifying the organized use of these religious sites for violent purposes.

The Bigger Picture

These actions are clear violations of international law, targeting Israeli civilians and the security apparatus while endangering the Palestinian populace by using them and their holy sites as human shields. This misuse calls for increased awareness and a reconsideration of international oversight to uphold true humanitarian efforts and protect genuine places of worship from exploitation.

This story was first published on jpost.com.