Ukrainian tanks during Israel’s fierce military operations in Gaza. IT photo
Israeli forces also destroyed several Hamas military sites and weapons depots and other infrastructure used by Hamas for their attacks.
At Bureij camp in central Gaza, the 414th Battalion of the IDF’s Combat Intelligence Corps launched a manhunt against a group of Palestinian militants attempting to attack Israeli tanks.
A drone operated by Israeli forces tracked the militant group and, after identifying the target, directed an Israeli Air Force fighter jet to attack the building where the terrorist group was located. Dad is hiding, destroy this group.
Continuing operations against Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups in Khan Yunis, south of Gaza, the IDF’s 4th Brigade identified and destroyed several launch sites used to fire rockets into Israeli territory.
The brigade killed many armed Palestinian fighters in multiple encounters during their efforts to locate rocket launch sites, the IDF added.
Israel has announced a more targeted approach in hunting down Hamas militants and its leaders in Gaza.
Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has outlined a new phase in Israel’s war in Gaza. Accordingly, Israel will adopt a more targeted approach in northern Gaza and continue to pursue Hamas leaders in the south while Israel seeks to free the remaining hostages held by Hamas.
Under international pressure to shift to less intense combat operations and face economic challenges, Israel withdrew its forces in Gaza to allow thousands of reservists to return to work.
Mr. Gallant said in a statement that operations in northern Gaza would include raids, destruction of tunnels, air and ground attacks and special forces operations.
In the south, where most of Gaza’s 2.3 million people now live in tents and other temporary shelters, the focus will be on eliminating Hamas leaders and rescuing the approximately 132 remaining Israeli hostages among 240 people were kidnapped on October 7.
Israel aims to no longer control Gaza after the war, Gallant said, adding that the enclave will be run by Palestinian agencies as long as there is no threat to Israel.
Israel’s war against Hamas is approaching the three-month mark amid international concerns that the conflict is spreading beyond Gaza.
Concerns were heightened after a drone strike on Tuesday killed Hamas deputy leader Saleh al-Arouri in the Lebanese capital Beirut. He was buried at the Palestinian Shatila camp in the city yesterday.