In a recent operation, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have taken operational control of a harbor in the Gaza sector that has been used by the radical Palestinian movement Hamas for terrorist purposes. The IDF’s press service announced this development via their Telegram channel.
During the operation, which involved members of the Engineering Corps and the Air Force, the IDF destroyed 10 tunnel shafts and four structures that Hamas had been using for attacks. Israeli forces neutralized 10 militants.
According to the IDF, Hamas had been utilizing the harbor as a training base for its naval forces, using civilian courts and ships in the Gaza harbor to plan and carry out terrorist attacks.
The situation in the Middle East escalated after thousands of Hamas militants infiltrated Israeli territory from the Gaza sector on October 7th, when Hamas declared the start of the “Flood of Al-Aqsa” operation. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that the country was in a state of war.
Israel’s “Iron Swords” counteroperation aimed to repel the attack, free over 200 hostages (including foreigners), and destroy Hamas. As part of achieving these objectives, Israel conducted massive rocket strikes on the Gaza sector from the first day of the operation. Additionally, the Israeli National Security Council decided to halt the supply of water, food, goods, electricity, and fuel to the sector. Humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza only resumed through the Rafah checkpoint after October 20th, albeit in insufficient amounts.
On October 27th, Israel announced an “expansion” of its ground operation in Gaza. The exact start date of this operation remains unknown, but prior to its commencement, hundreds of thousands of Palestinians evacuated their homes and sought refuge in shelters and the southern part of the enclave. As of November 5th, fighting continues in the center of Gaza, as IDF forces have surrounded the city and cut off its supply lines.
Previously, Israeli President Itzhak Herzog stated that Hamas’ command center was located beneath the central hospital in the Gaza sector.
