Hamas Turned a Civilian Structure in Gaza Into a Rocket Launch Site

Under international law, a civilian structure is a legitimate military target when used for military purposes. The Hamas terrorist organization chooses to use civilian structures for its military purposes and often launches rockets from densely populated civilian areas in Gaza. On May 18, 2021, the ninth day of Operation Guardian of the Walls, we operated to strike a concealed rocket launcher in a civilian structure in Gaza. Out of concern for the safety of non-combatants, we warned civilians in the building and in surrounding buildings about the strike, giving them enough time to evacuate before we struck the rocket launcher.