[With map of tunnels] IDF Spokesperson Announcement- Operation Protective =

Edge Day 17 - Summary of Events
July 24, 2014
Location : Tel Aviv

Operation Protective Edge Day 17 =96 Summary of Events

Since the beginning of the ground phase of Operation Protective Edge, IDF =

soldiers have uncovered 31 tunnels used for terror, 11 of which were =

subsequently destroyed by IDF forces. Throughout the morning, the IDF has =

targeted approximately 90 terror activity sites in Gaza. Among them were =

concealed rocket launchers and surveillance posts.

In the early morning hours, IDF soldiers detained 2 militants who were =

identified emerging from an access shaft of a tunnel used for terror.

In a separate incident, soldiers identified a suicide bomber wearing an =

explosive belt in the southern Gaza Strip. The soldiers fired at him, =

confirming the threat neutralized. Subsequently, the force located 2 tunnel =

access shafts adjacent to the scene.

To download a map specifying the locations of several of the tunnels =

uncovered by IDF soldiers in the Gaza Strip during the course of Operation =

Protective Edge.
http://bit.ly/1rPDUgS

Later on, armored forces identified a squad of armed militants and fired at =

their direction, confirming a hit.

Also today, militants fired anti-tank missiles at IDF soldiers from within =

the Al-Wafa hospital compound, injuring 4 IDF soldiers, one of them =

severely. The soldiers responded with fire, killing 2 militants. In order =

to eliminate the threat posed to the soldiers' lives, IAF aircraft targeted =

both the structure and another site nearby which was used as a weapon =

storage facility and a terror command post.

In the past few days, the area surrounding the UNRWA school in Beit Hanoun =

has turned into a battlefield, therefore prompting the IDF to insist those =

present to evacuate it. Furthermore, the IDF authorized a humanitarian time =

window for evacuation between 10:00-14:00 IDT earlier today. Hamas =

prevented the civilians from leaving it and once again used their =

infrastructure and international symbols as human shields. In the course of =

the afternoon, several rockets launched by Hamas from within the Gaza Strip =

landed in the Beit Hanoun area. From initial inquiries done about the =

incident, during the intense fighting in the area, militants opened fire at =

IDF soldiers from the school area. In order to eliminate the threat posed t=
o =

their lives, they responded with fire toward the origins of the shooting. =

The IDF is still reviewing the incident.

Furthermore, according to the COGAT Spokesman, the UNRWA claims that Israel =

prevented the safe evacuation of the school in Beit Hanoun are unfounded. I=
t =

should be emphasized that during recent days, COGAT has been maintaining =

close contact with representatives of the UNRWA, the ICRC, and Palestinians =

in Beit Hanoun. COGAT made every possible effort to ensure the safety of =

local residents by evacuating them from the area, which has been marked by =

intense fighting and Hamas rocket launching towards Israel, including from =

the vicinity of such facilities. It should be further emphasized that =

following this contact, the humanitarian window was authorized.
________________________________________
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