What it’s about

For the past 40 days, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have been engaged in intense operations in Rafah, a city in southern Gaza. Amid intricate battlefield conditions with numerous booby-trapped houses, hidden passageways, and extensive surveillance infrastructure, the IDF continues to advance with deliberate and strategic movements.

Why it matters

This is a critical offensive aimed at dismantling the terrorist infrastructure of Hamas in Rafah. Successfully engaging in a complex urban battleground, the IDF has already significantly impacted Hamas’s operational capabilities, as evident from the extensive list of neutralized threats.

What they are saying

Senior IDF commanders have confidently rejected any speculation of being bogged down. Pointing to the elimination of approximately 550 terrorists, they highlight the severe depletion of Hamas forces, with two of its four battalions on the brink of collapse.

Current State of Operations

The IDF has established control over key strategic areas including the Rafah crossing, preventing smuggling and securing neighborhoods. Israeli forces effectively disrupted Hamas plans, with the rapid initial momentum catching terrorists off-guard, preventing them from implementing countermeasures such as explosive charges along critical routes.

Key Progress Points

• Full operational control from the Kerem Shalom crossing to the sea
• No rocket launch capability from Rafah since the commencement of operations
• Discovery and neutralization of over 200 tunnel shafts and 35 tunnels, some extending into Egypt
• Successful cooperation and coordination with Egyptian forces
• Complete control of the NPK neighborhood, including the complex underground network

Looking ahead

The IDF plans strategic and phased combat to systematically root out the remaining terrorist elements. Commanders have reaffirmed their determination and outlined that full control over Rafah’s operational terrain is approaching rapidly. The plan is to continue leveraging tactical advantages, minimizing risks, and finalizing conclusive victories in a matter of weeks.

This story was first published on ynetnews.com.