Israeli forces have advanced further into the Shejaia neighborhood in northern Gaza and deeper into Rafah in the south, killing at least six Palestinians and destroying several homes, according to local residents. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have reported striking dozens of Hamas sites in Shejaia with drones.
The current reinvasion of Shejaia by the IDF, which began four days ago, aims to eliminate remaining Hamas tunnels that were missed during earlier operations. Israeli tanks have been shelling houses In order to flush out targets. The IDF reports that troops have located weapons, raided booby-trapped Hamas combat complexes, and killed several gunmen.
In Rafah, the IDF’s 162nd Division has also been active, killing several Hamas operatives and demolishing tunnel shafts. This marks the fourth reinvasion of northern and central Gaza since mid-March, with previous operations targeting locations such as Shifa Hospital, Jabalia, and Nuseirat.
IDF sources highlighted a successful operation on Friday, where Division 98 penetrated a makeshift Hamas headquarters inside a school and a pharmacy in broad daylight within 40 minutes. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated the country’s commitment to eliminating Hamas, securing the return of hostages, and ensuring Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel. Netanyahu stated, “We are committed to fighting until we achieve all of our objectives.”
Despite achieving operational control over Shejaia earlier this year, Hamas has been able to regroup following IDF withdrawals. The IDF acknowledges that fully eradicating Hamas’s extensive tunnel network could take years, and current efforts may not provide sufficient time.
In the Israeli-occupied West Bank, an Israeli strike near Tulkarm resulted in the death of one man and injuries to five others, according to the Palestinian health ministry. The deceased was identified as a member of Islamic Jihad.Â
Hamas responded with a video showing the production of anti-tank rocket warheads. The IDF announced finding military infrastructure inside a UN school in Shejaia, along with weapons and intelligence documents, during recent operations. Additionally, a “terrorist war room” was discovered in a clinic.
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