IDF continues operations across Gaza, ‘eliminating several terrorists’

The Israeli army continued its operations in both northern and southern Gaza on Thursday, killing “several terrorists” and locating a number of tunnel shafts. 

IDF said its forces located a rocket launcher ready to fire at IDF troops while others located and dismantled a number of tunnel shafts and launchers in Rafah. and

“Several terrorists” were killed during close-quarters encounters while airstrikes killed three terrorists belonging to a mortar squad, who fired mortar shells at IDF troops in the area of Rafah.

The army also continued to operate in the area of Jabaliya in northern Gaza, a location that has caused major challenges for the army in recent months with Hamas and other terror groups resurfacing.

In cooperation with the Israeli Air Force, the troops “targeted several Hamas terrorists during strikes on military compounds used for weapons storage. IDF troops located numerous weapons, including AK-47 rifles, snipers, magazines, explosive devices including grenades, and additional military equipment,” the IDF said.

Troops, in cooperation with the airforce, also conducted several strikes in central Gaza, “including the head of a terror squad who operated from within a hideout residence, two terrorists who opened fire at IDF troops, and a terrorist who invaded into Israel on October 7th.”

As Israel moved further in to Rafah, more than 800,000 civilians fled from the city since the operations began on May 7.

Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant spoke with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on Wednesday night, briefing him on the operations in Rafah. Austin has previously warned Israel not to launch a full-scale offensive in Rafah, fearing the amount of civilian casualties.