Hamas Accused of Indoctrinating Children as Damning Photos Emerge From Gaza

Jerusalem, 3 January, 2024 (TPS) -- Israel accused Hamas of indoctrinating young children to terror as photos of Gaza youngsters holding weapons found by soldiers were released by the Israel Defense Forces on Wednesday.

The photos showed children posing with guns, grenade launchers, rockets and other military equipment. Most of the photos also featured masked operatives wearing military uniforms and green Hamas bandanas. The faces of the Palestinian children were blurred, but some appeared to be as young as 10.

The IDF said Hamas uses minors for various tasks, such as sending children to deliver messages or ammunition. The army said Gaza children are sometimes sent to deliver explosives in vegetable bags, or asked to assess damage in combat and report their findings to commanders in hiding.

“From a young age, children are educated to hate Israel and Jews. In schools, youth movements, and at camps, children undergo both theoretical and practical military training,” the IDF said in a statement.

“In routine times, Hamas operates summer camps where children learn to shoot weapons, storm through tunnels, fight against tanks and even kidnap soldiers. These camps are early stages of training for Hamas’ military wing. Based on intelligence it is estimated that a significant number of minors are active in the Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorist organizations,” the statement added.

At least 1,200 people were killed in Hamas’s attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on Oct. 7. The number of men, women, children, soldiers and foreigners held captive in Gaza by Hamas is now believed to be 129. Other people remain unaccounted for as Israeli authorities continue to identify bodies and search for human remains.

A Gaza child holding a rifle with a Hamas terrorist in a photo found by Israeli forces. Photo from IDF Spokesperson