The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it had dismantled three weapons storage facilities belonging to Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, along with a rocket-launching site used to fire projectiles toward Israel during the war.
According to the IDF, troops discovered rockets, Kalachnikov rifles and other military equipment inside the facilities. The military said the sites had recently been used by Hamas operatives as part of efforts to establish control in parts of Gaza and conduct further operations.
The IDF described the facilities and launch site as part of the militant groups’ weapons infrastructure and said their destruction was intended to prevent the continued use of the stockpiled equipment.
Palestinian Militant Killed After Attack on Israeli Troops
In a separate operation near Aqraba, the IDF said soldiers killed a man who attempted to attack them using several weapons.
The military said the attacker first threw a Molotov cocktail and an explosive device toward the soldiers before advancing on them with a knife. The troops responded by killing the attacker, according to the IDF.
No Israeli soldiers were injured in the incident, the military said.
The operation also resulted in the arrest of four other alleged terrorists. The IDF said those detained included suspected weapons traffickers as well as an individual who was allegedly preparing to carry out an imminent attack.
Troops also recovered weapons and other military equipment during the operation, according to the statement.
Two Hamas and Islamic Jihad Operatives Reportedly Killed
The IDF also announced the deaths of two Palestinian militants it identified as members of Hamas and Islamic Jihad.
Those killed were identified as Sabhi Hadr Al-Atham Al-Batrihi, described by the military as an Islamic Jihad operative, and Ahmad Fuad Khalil Khalas, whom the IDF identified as a Hamas Nukbah operative.
The Israeli military accused the two men of involvement in planting explosive devices in Gaza and carrying out activities against Israeli troops and civilians.
IDF Cites Ceasefire Violations
According to the military, the two operatives had continued activities against Israeli forces and civilians in what the IDF described as systematic violations of the ceasefire.
The military said the strike was carried out to eliminate what it considered an immediate threat posed by the two men.
The latest announcements come as Israeli forces continue operations targeting militant infrastructure and weapons networks, with the IDF saying its activities are focused on preventing further attacks and dismantling capabilities used by Hamas and Islamic Jihad.
