In a series of strategic strikes, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have successfully eliminated a prominent commander within Hamas’s commando forces, a key figure linked to the deadly attacks on southern Israeli communities over the past week. This operation comes as Israel gears up for a possible ground invasion of the Gaza Strip and begins evacuating a border city.
IDF Ground Troops Preparing for ‘Combat Activities’
As the prospect of a ground incursion looms, the IDF has actively encouraged Palestinian residents in northern Gaza to relocate to the southern regions of the coastal enclave. The IDF emphasizes that their top priority is to rescue hostages held by terrorist groups, a crisis that unfolded during the devastating offensive launched by Hamas on October 7. This attack resulted in the tragic deaths of over 1300 people, primarily civilians, and the kidnapping of 150-200 individuals.
Israel’s Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant, made a solemn vow during a visit to an army base near the border with Gaza. He affirmed that the war against Palestinian terror groups would be “deadly” and permanently transform the situation in southern Israel.
Israel's Defense Minister, Yoav Gallant
The recent airstrike that eliminated Billal al-Qedra, the commander of the Nukhba unit’s southern Khan Younis battalion, was executed based on intelligence gathered by the Shin Bet security agency and the Military Intelligence Directorate. It’s reported that al-Qedra orchestrated the murderous raid on Kibbutz Nirim and Nir Oz, resulting in numerous casualties.
In a series of nighttime airstrikes, the IDF successfully targeted more than 100 terror sites in the Gaza Strip. These included Hamas command centers, military facilities, numerous rocket launchers, anti-tank missile launch positions, and observation posts. Additionally, Islamic Jihad command centers were struck in these precision operations.
However, the relative calm following a 12-hour ceasefire was shattered by the blaring of warning sirens in several southern towns on Sunday morning. A rocket launched from Gaza struck a residence in Sderot, igniting a fire. Fortunately, there were no immediate indications of injuries as the residents were preparing for the evacuation.
It’s important to note that while the evacuation of Sderot is not compulsory, local authorities strongly recommend that residents leave the area. Evacuees are being transported to hotels in Eilat Jerusalem, and relocating to Tel Aviv is possible. The town of Sderot is estimated to have approximately 7,000 households.
In the past week, authorities have evacuated residents from Gaza-area communities that endured significant damage during the Hamas offensive. Amid these ongoing challenges in southern Israel, Defense Minister Gallant declared, “The war here is the war of light against darkness.” He continued to express the military’s determination to eradicate the Hamas organization, which he described as a “culture that does not accept our existence here” and a group responsible for horrific acts of violence against Israeli soldiers, children, and citizens.
During his visit to Kibbutz Be’eri, one of the hardest-hit Israeli border communities, President Isaac Herzog walked through shattered and bloodstained buildings and homes where many residents tragically lost their lives to terrorists. Herzog acknowledged the immense suffering but pledged that Be’eri would be restored as a paradise. He declared, “Out of our grief, the tears, the terrible pain, and the darkness in which this community finds itself, and all the surrounding communities, from here we say to the whole world: Nothing will break us.”
President Isaac Herzog and Mrs. Herzog visited Be’eri to bear witness to the carnage of the October 7 Massacre.
Meanwhile, in northern Israel, the town of Metula has strongly recommended that its residents evacuate. This recommendation follows several deadly attacks along the Lebanon border, including the Iran-backed Hezbollah terror group’s launch of an anti-tank missile that killed at least one civilian. In response to heavy rocket fire in various regions, thousands of people have been displaced, seeking refuge in quieter parts of the country.
In a separate incident on Sunday morning, IDF troops engaged and killed a Palestinian terrorist near the Gaza border in the kibbutz of Nir Am. The military identified the gunman within the community, leading to the dispatch of infantry forces and tanks. Following an exchange of fire, the terrorist was neutralized.
According to The New York Times reports, Israel is preparing to deploy 10000 troops to capture Gaza City to “destroy” the Gaza Strip’s leadership. This offensive is set to be the largest since the Second Lebanon War in 2006 and will involve an attempt to retain control of portions of Gaza, at least temporarily.
Israel is preparing to deploy 10000 troops to capture Gaza City.
Hamas officials have informed the newspaper that their fighters plan to employ tunnel ambush tactics to surprise Israeli troops as they advance. In response to this evolving situation, the IDF has eased rules of engagement, making it easier for soldiers to respond to suspected threats. As confirmed by spokesman Lt. Col. Richard Hecht, a top priority for the troops is eliminating the Hamas leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar.
An important message for the world to hear from the IDF International Spokesperson, Lt. Col. Richard Hecht. pic.twitter.com/e9rmcgLgex
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 15, 2023
The IDF remains dedicated to rescuing the hostages, who are most likely being held underground in the intricate network of tunnels that permeate the Gaza Strip. Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus emphasized that while combatting in such densely populated urban areas is incredibly challenging, the IDF will not target civilians. However, he pointed out that Hamas, a ruthless enemy, often uses civilians as human shields and exploits civilian infrastructure for military purposes.
LIVE UPDATE with @jconricus: Hamas is blocking the evacuation of civilians. https://t.co/N7Y08WP8gM
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 15, 2023
Furthermore, Conricus underlined the significance of the IDF’s warning to civilians in northern Gaza to evacuate, signaling the commencement of “significant military operations.” He reiterated the generous time for residents to leave and stressed the importance of complying with the evacuation recommendations.
Amid these developments, the IDF has vehemently denied claims made by Hamas and circulated by international media outlets. These claims assert that Israel targeted Palestinian evacuation convoys in northern Gaza, resulting in the death of over 70 individuals. Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the IDF’s chief spokesperson, has firmly dismissed these allegations, stating, “This is a false report.” Hagari emphasized that Hamas is the party cynically using its citizens as human shields and spreading manipulative misinformation.
As the conflict rages on, the Hamas-run health ministry reported that roughly 2329 Palestinians have been killed as of Sunday, with an additional 9042 sustaining injuries in Israeli retaliatory airstrikes in Gaza. The IDF claims to have neutralized approximately 1500 Palestinian terrorists who breached the border fence and perpetrated violent attacks in southern Israel.
