What’s happening:
The IDF, in coordination with Shin Bet, has executed targeted operations resulting in the deaths of two senior Hamas intelligence operatives and the dismantling of significant portions of Hamas’s military infrastructure within Gaza.
Why it matters:
The elimination of key figures in Hamas’s intelligence unit, along with the destruction of their command center and the discovery of military assets hidden within civilian areas, represents a substantial setback for the terror organization’s operational capabilities, potentially reducing the threat of future attacks against Israel.
The details:
The Israeli air force, guided by intelligence from the IDF and Shin Bet, targeted Abdel Aziz Rantisi and Ahmed Aiush, both of whom were instrumental in Hamas’s intelligence operations. Rantisi was involved in planning the October 7 massacre, while Aiush was part of Hamas’s observation unit.
Hamas’s attempt to retaliate:
In response to the IDF’s actions, a Hamas cell fired anti-tank missiles from civilian areas of the Gaza Strip. The IDF quickly identified and neutralized the cell members with a targeted airstrike.
Impact on civilian areas:
The IDF’s Kfir Brigade discovered and eradicated Hamas military equipment stored in a civilian residential building, while the Golani Brigade uncovered and destroyed tunnel shafts and rocket launchers. This close-quarters combat resulted in the deaths of numerous terrorists. Additionally, a school was found to be concealing a tunnel shaft, which the IDF neutralized, along with the terrorists hiding within it.
Extensive tunnel network:
The IDF’s 188th Brigade and Yahalom Unit found and demolished seven more tunnel shafts, uncovering weapons, ammunition, and explosives in the process. Another tunnel shaft located within a school’s vicinity contained a large group of terrorists who were also eliminated.
The bigger picture:
This operation highlights the continued use of civilian areas by Hamas for military purposes, posing significant challenges for IDF operations and the safety of Palestinian civilians. The IDF’s successful targeting of key operatives and infrastructure deals a blow to Hamas’s ability to launch future attacks.
This story was first published on jpost.com.