“IDF Continues Intense Air Attacks in Gaza; Top Hamas Commanders Eliminated”
Gaza City – The 20th day of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas saw the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) intensify their air attacks on targets in Gaza. The Air Force used bunker-penetrating bombs to target underground Hamas structures and tunnels. Photos released depict the extensive destruction in the northern part of the Gaza Strip.
Throughout the day, reports emerged of powerful attacks on several locations in Gaza, including the al-Birij refugee camp in the Zeytun neighborhood and Nizirat in the center of the Gaza Strip. In the afternoon, airstrikes were reported near Al-Azhar University, a significant institution in the area.
Notably, the IDF announced the elimination of key Hamas commanders during their operations. With precise intelligence guidance from Shin Bet, IDF fighters successfully targeted the commander of the Darj Tafah battalion of Hamas, Rafat Abbas, his deputy, Ebrahim Jad’ba, and the commander of combat and administrative assistance, Tarek Maruf. The battalion is part of the prominent Gaza City Brigade.
“All three are veteran terrorists who participated in previous campaigns against Israel and took a significant part in the murderous massacre on October 7,” stated an IDF spokesman. The airstrikes were carried out by fighter jets on the recommendation of accurate intelligence information.
Additionally, the deputy head of Hamas’s intelligence department, Shadi Barud, was killed with assistance from Amman and Shin Bet intelligence. Barud had also previously served as a battalion commander in the Khan Yunis sector and was involved in planning several terrorist attacks against Israeli citizens. He held various positions in Hamas’s military intelligence and played a significant role in intelligence operations.
Furthermore, the commander of the rocket firing array in the northern Khan Yunis sector of Hamas, Hassan al-Abdallah, was eliminated in an airstrike. The IDF has been targeting terrorist infrastructure, operational headquarters, rocket launchers, and tunnel shafts used by Hamas militants to attack Israel.
In recent hours, the IDF attacked more than 250 Hamas targets, including those located near civilian areas such as mosques and kindergartens. The military’s activities have not been limited to the air, as ground forces under the command of the Givati Brigade carried out a targeted raid using tanks in the northern part of the Gaza Strip. This operation, conducted in preparation for upcoming phases of combat, lasted several hours and had no casualties among IDF forces.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas shows no signs of subsiding, with both parties continuing their military operations. The international community closely watches developments in the region, holding out hope for a swift resolution and de-escalation of hostilities.