Mosques and Muslim prayer halls have not escaped the relentless bombardment of Hamas targets in Gaza by Israel, which claims the Islamic militants misuse some of the holy sites as weapons depots and command centres.
Yuval Diskin, the head of the Shin Bet security service, has told the Israeli Cabinet today that Hamas leaders are taking shelter in the mosques “on the assumption that Israel will not attack”.
Israeli bombs have damaged at least five mosques and two prayer halls during the five-day air campaign against Hamas facilities, according to a count by The Associated Press in Gaza.
Israel historically has struck mosques when it deems them legitimate targets. But today’s air strike that left the Tel Al-Hawa mosque in ruins was deliberate.
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