Israel Defense Forces (IDF) troops operating in Gaza City's Daraj and Tuffah districts made a significant discovery, uncovering components used by Hamas to produce precision-guided missiles and other strategic weapons with direct assistance from the Islamic Republic of Iran, the military announced on Sunday. Photos shared by the IDF showed a rocket engine and warhead, underscoring the sophistication of the components the terrorists had learned to operate and build under Iranian guidance. The Iran-backed weapons manufacturing plant was uncovered as part of an operation that also exposed a 330-foot terror tunnel.

Nahal Brigade Commander Col. Yair Zuckerman described encountering enemy squads, infrastructure, and booby-trapped houses over the last few days, highlighting the ongoing threat posed by Hamas. In addition to the weapons plant and terror tunnel, IDF forces also discovered numerous terror tunnels and rocket launching pads aimed at targeting the greater Tel Aviv area and Israeli communities near the Gaza border. The Biden administration has condemned the Islamic Republic for its role in supporting Hamas, describing it as complicit in the attacks carried out on October 7.

It was reported that as many as 500 men affiliated with Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad had trained in Iran prior to the attacks, receiving specialized combat training. The October 7 attacks led to the deaths of at least 1,200 people in Israeli communities near the Gaza border. Furthermore, Hamas currently holds 129 individuals captive in Gaza, including men, women, children, soldiers, and foreigners, with others remaining unaccounted for as Israeli authorities continue to search for those missing. The discovery and dismantling of the weapons manufacturing plant shed light on the extent of Iran's support for violent terrorist activities in the region.