Israeli Military Officials Say IDF Conducted Raid
Israeli Defense Forces launched a massive airstrike campaign in Gaza on Thursday, targeting senior Hamas commanders responsible for the October 7th attack on Israel. The campaign, which saw about 250 airstrikes in just 24 hours, was a response to the increasing tension between Israel and Hamas.
According to the IDF, the airstrikes were based on intelligence gathered by the IDF and ISA, specifically targeting senior Hamas commander Hassan Al-Abdullah, who was in charge of the Northern Khan Yunis Rockets Array. The IDF released footage of the airstrike, showing multiple airstrikes in Gaza.
Al-Abdullah's death is just the latest in a series of targeted killings by Israel, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to take out all Hamas members involved in the attack on Israel. He has also declared his intention to destroy Hamas entirely.
Later in the day, the IDF announced the elimination of another top Hamas official, Shadi Barud, who was the deputy head of Hamas' Intelligence Directorate. The IDF claims that he aided in the planning of the October 7th attack and other deadly attacks on Israel.
"We will continue to strike and eliminate Hamas leaders and operatives responsible for the barbaric attacks," the IDF stated on social media.
Thursday's airstrikes were accompanied by a ground incursion into Gaza, which saw Israeli tanks and other armored vehicles eliminate Hamas terrorist cells along the Gaza border. The operation was meant to "prepare the battlefield" for a potential ground invasion, according to a military spokesman. Netanyahu has stated that a full-scale invasion of northern Gaza is imminent.
In addition to the airstrikes and ground incursion, the IDF also made 60 arrests in the West Bank, with 46 of them being Hamas members. Since the beginning of the conflict on October 7th, about 1,000 individuals have been arrested, according to the IDF.
The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas has left both sides on edge, as tensions continue to rise. The Israeli government has made it clear that they will not tolerate attacks on their citizens and will take all necessary measures to protect them. Hamas, on the other hand, has vowed to continue to fight for their cause and retaliate against Israel's actions.
The international community has urged for a de-escalation of violence and for both sides to engage in dialogue to reach a peaceful resolution. However, with no signs of the conflict coming to an end, the situation remains volatile and the possibility of a ground invasion looms. As the death toll continues to rise and the destruction in Gaza worsens, the international community is calling for swift action to bring an end to the violence.