Israeli forces have reported killing over 15 Hamas terrorists and detaining 10 Palestinian Islamic Jihad members in northern Gaza, according to the IDF (Israel Defense Forces). The operation included a significant targeted raid on a school that terrorists were using as a hideout. During this operation, five rockets prepared for launch were discovered and subsequently destroyed.
In central Gaza, the IDF killed 10 armed Palestinian terrorists in less than an hour, with additional militants taken out when spotted in the area. In the Fati Shati region of northern Gaza and Khan Yunis in the south, Israeli aircraft targeted terrorist groups operating near Israeli forces. After these airstrikes, Israeli soldiers discovered numerous weapons, military equipment, and documents linked to Hamas in nearby buildings.
Tragically, three IDF soldiers lost their lives during the operation, bringing the total number of IDF casualties since the beginning of the Gaza ground offensive on October 27 to 223. This conflict has seen a total of 560 IDF soldiers killed across all fronts since it began on October 7.
Additionally, the Israel Police reported that one of its officers was killed by Hamas during the October 7 terrorist invasion, and his body was taken to the Gaza Strip. Sgt. First Class Ran Gvili from the Yasam Special Patrol Unit in the police’s Negev district died while fighting terrorists in the northwestern Negev kibbutz of Alumim. His death raises the number of police officers killed in the conflict to 61.
Meanwhile, Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has stated that the IDF will retain full security control over the Gaza Strip after the war with Hamas concludes, similar to its operational freedom in Judea and Samaria. He emphasized that this control would be military rather than civilian. This strategy is intended to ensure that Hamas does not regain control of Gaza and that it remains non-threatening to Israel.
In terms of ceasefire discussions, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed not to release large numbers of Palestinian terrorists or withdraw troops from Gaza in exchange for a hostage deal with Hamas. He stressed that the war’s goals must be fully achieved, including eliminating Hamas, securing the release of all hostages, and preventing Gaza from posing a future threat to Israel.
A recent poll conducted by Israel’s Channel 12 showed that 50% of Israelis oppose a hostage deal that would entail a temporary cessation of hostilities in Gaza and the release of thousands of Palestinian terrorists, including phased releases of Israeli hostages held by Hamas. The proposal involves the initial release of women, children, the elderly, and sick or wounded individuals, followed by a 45-day halt to combat operations in Gaza.
