"The mosque was used as a storage site for a large amount of Grad missiles, Qassam rockets and additional weaponry," an Israel Defense Forces spokesman said. "The strike set off a lengthy series of secondary explosions and a large fire, caused by the ammunitions stockpiled in the mosque."

An IDF statement said it "will not hesitate to strike those involved in terrorism against the citizens of the state of Israel, even if they deliberately choose to operate from locations of religious or cultural significance."