A terrorist weapon cache in a home in Khan Younis, Gaza, exploded on Tuesday, killing one and injuring severalaccording to IDF international spokesperson Lt. Col. Richard Hecht and Palestinian media.
“Another tragedy in the Gaza Strip today,” tweeted Hecht. “Weapons stored unsafely in the house of a member of a Palestinian terrorist group exploded and killed a young child in the vicinity.”
Another tragedy in the Gaza Strip today.Weapons stored unsafely in the house of a member of a Palestinian terrorist group exploded and killed a young child in the vicinity.These are the sad consequences of militarizing civilian areas for terrorist activity. pic.twitter.com/9AUT2TwAhn
— Lt. Col. Richard Hecht (@LtColRichard) August 23, 2022
However, Palestinian media outlet Shehab News reported the death caused by an “accidental explosion” near a house as being that of Nidal al-Attal, a young man. A young girl was reportedly injured in the incident.
Press coverage: “A picture of the young man, Nidal al-Attal, who was killed by an accidental explosion in the vicinity of a house west of Khan Yunis, in the southern Gaza Strip.” pic.twitter.com/jJ0pR2jsxU
– Shehab News Agency (@ShehabAgency) August 23, 2022
Terrorist weapons in Gazan homes
Terrorist organizations in Gaza such as Hamas have previously been recorded storing munitions in civilian objects and within residential areas. In late July, the IDF revealed a target list that included a weapons warehouse next to Shifal Hospital, and an ammunition depot in a mosque. A munition production facility was identified in a residential building and another next to a public library.
Press coverage: “An accidental explosion in the vicinity of a house west of Khan Yunis, which resulted in the death of a young man, Nidal al-Attal, and the injury of a child, and left material damage to the place.” pic.twitter.com/4Y3zB3qhy2
– Shehab News Agency (@ShehabAgency) August 23, 2022
“An explosion, an accident or even a fire in the warehouse could result in injuries to civilians, from worshipers in the mosque to people who come to receive humanitarian aid,” the IDF warned of one of the ammunition storage sites.
“These are the sad consequences of militarizing civilian areas for terrorist activity.”
IDF international spokesperson Lt. Col. Richard Hecht
During Operation Breaking Dawn, several civilian casualties and at least two terrorist casualties were caused by misfired Islamic Jihad rockets. Rocket fire was also documented as being launched from civilian areas.
Anna Ahronheim and Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.