A Hamas terror tunnel that extends from the Gaza Strip into Israel. Photo: IDF Spokesperson’s Unit.

JNS.org – The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) said on Friday it had discovered the existence of a Hamas terror tunnel located underneath two of the UN body’s schools in the Gaza Strip.

According to UNRWA spokesman Christopher Gunness, the tunnels were found below the Maghazi Elementary Boys A&B School and the Maghazi Prepatory Boys School, which are located on the same premises, during the construction of a school building. Gunness said UNRWA “condemns the existence of such tunnels in the strongest possible terms.”

“It is unacceptable that students and staff are placed at risk in such a way,” he said. “The construction and presence of tunnels under UN premises are incompatible with the respect of privileges and immunities owed to the United Nations under applicable international law, which provides that UN premises shall be inviolable. The sanctity and neutrality of UN premises must be preserved at all times.”

During the 2014 war between Israel and Hamas, Israel repeatedly condemned the Palestinian terror group for using tunnels under schools to launch rockets from Gaza. In the same conflict, Hamas weapons were repeatedly discovered inside UNRWA schools.