The discovery of a sophisticated Hamas data center beneath the United Nations Agency for Palestinian Refugees (UNRWA) headquarters in Gaza has sent shockwaves through the region. This clandestine operation, strategically positioned beneath civilian infrastructure, has raised significant concerns about Hamas’s exploitation of humanitarian spaces for their nefarious purposes.

Despite Hamas’s vehement denials, evidence suggests a pattern of utilizing hospitals, schools, and now the UNRWA premises for their operations. The recent revelation of a sophisticated data center underscores the extent of Hamas’s infiltration into civilian areas, posing challenges for Israeli security forces.

BREAKING: Terror tunnel discovered right below UNRWA HQ, hiding Hamas intelligence data center, with electrical room, industrial battery power banks, living quarters for Hamas server operators. Electric cables from UNRWA powered the Hamas servers. UNRWA chief: “We had no clue.” https://t.co/0Q7aoJ1WDb pic.twitter.com/IfIB0nhx61

— Hillel Neuer (@HillelNeuer) February 10, 2024

Strategically located to evade detection and targeting, this covert facility was shielded beneath layers of infrastructure, out of sight from conventional surveillance methods. “The IDF was here previously, the first time was to destroy the enemy, but when we were here the last time we collected a lot of intelligence documents and findings, a lot of prisoners, and thanks to this we reached here. Now we carried out a targeted operation to take this capability away,” said the commander of the 401st Armored Brigade, Col. Benny Aharon, during a media tour of the tunnel and UN complex.

“We had a basis of information, but not enough to be able to dig down 20 meters and find it, we needed a bit more. There’s information we get from prisoners we capture, from computers we find, from documents, maps,” he added, emphasizing the importance of intelligence gathering in uncovering such covert operations.

🚨 Breaking: Extensive terror tunnel network found under @UNRWA 🇺🇳 headquarters in Gaza 👇

It was used as Hamas' intelligence center, with full knowledge and active support of UNRWA.
pic.twitter.com/3BB23OYBmo

— Dr. Eli David (@DrEliDavid) February 10, 2024

The IDF’s mission to neutralize this threat was not without sacrifice, with two soldiers falling victim to Hamas sniper fire during the operation. However, their sacrifice led to the unearthing of a labyrinthine network housing rows of server cabinets, each containing vital intelligence infrastructure used by Hamas operatives.

Believed to be utilized for intelligence gathering, data processing, and communication, the seized hardware provides valuable insights into Hamas’s modus operandi. The decision to investigate the confiscated equipment underscores the gravity of the threat posed by Hamas’s sophisticated technological capabilities.

This discovery not only sheds light on Hamas’s insidious tactics but also raises questions about the integrity of UNRWA’s operations. As protests in support of Hamas continue worldwide, it is evident that the group will stop at nothing in its relentless campaign against Israel’s existence.

The IDF’s discovery of the Hamas data center beneath UNRWA’s Gaza headquarters serves as a stark reminder of the complex challenges posed by terrorism in the region. It underscores the need for vigilance and cooperation in combating extremist threats that exploit civilian infrastructure for their nefarious agendas.