 announced on Wednesday evening that they had encircled the city of Khan Younis in the southern part of the territory){kind=link}
In a significant escalation of the conflict in the Gaza Strip, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Wednesday evening that they had encircled the city of Khan Younis in the southern part of the territory.
This move comes as part of a broader military operation against the Hamas terror organization, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivering a clear message to Hamas’s Gaza chief, Yahya Sinwar, that Israel is closing in on him.
The IDF’s 98th Division spearheaded a coordinated attack on the city, targeting what they referred to as the “centres of gravity” of the Hamas terror organization.
Within hours, Israeli troops successfully broke through the defences of Hamas’s Khan Younis brigade, encircled the city, and began operating within its centre.
The IDF reported that its forces captured Hamas strongholds, uncovering weapons and intelligence materials in the process. In ground combat and airstrikes, “many” Hamas operatives were reportedly killed.
One of the key objectives of the operation was to locate and destroy tunnel shafts used by Hamas for smuggling and military purposes.
The IDF identified approximately 30 tunnel shafts within Khan Younis, all of which were subsequently destroyed during the ongoing battles.
Additionally, a weapons depot housed inside a mosque was reportedly neutralized by Israeli forces.
According to IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the military was making significant advances in the northern Gaza Strip, where operations have been ongoing for over a month.
In areas such as Jabaliya, Shejaiya, and Khan Younis, the IDF breached defence lines, engaging in close-quarters combat with Hamas fighters who emerged from underground tunnels.
Hagari emphasized the success of Israeli forces in these confrontations, stating, “The terrorists are coming out from underground, and our forces are winning in close-quarters combat. They have the upper hand.”
Of particular note is the strategic importance of Khan Younis in the history of Hamas. According to the IDF, the entire leadership of the Hamas terror organization, both political and military, has roots in the Khan Younis area.
This includes prominent figures such as Yahya Sinwar, Muhammad Sinwar, and Mohammed Deif.
With the city surrounded by the 98th Division, the IDF appears to be intensifying its efforts to dismantle key elements of Hamas leadership.
As tensions continue to escalate, the situation in the Gaza Strip remains highly volatile.
The international community closely watches developments, and concerns grow over the potential humanitarian impact on the civilian population caught in the crossfire of this longstanding and deeply rooted conflict.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members