The Israel Defense Forces continued to press the offensive against Hamas in the Gaza Strip on Monday, following Saturday’s successful rescue operation of four hostages in the central Nuseirat Camp.
Hamas forces, including Nukhba Forces operatives, were killed in air strikes on Monday morning. The Israeli Air Force also bombed underground terrorist infrastructure in the Deir al-Balah area.
Israeli forces also conducted targeted raids on Hamas military structures, destroyed tunnel shafts and underground terror infrastructure in central Gaza.
The military activity in Deir al-Balah came a day after IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi held a situational assessment in the eastern section of the governorate in the central Strip.
Halevi was accompanied by OC Southern Command Maj. Gen. Yaron Finkelman; Brig. Gen. Dan Goldfus, commander of the IDF’s 98th Division; and combat team commanders who participated in Saturday’s hostage rescue mission, renamed “Operation Arnon” after Chief Inspector Arnon Zamora, a member of the Israel Border Police’s “Yamam” National Counter-Terrorism Unit who was mortally wounded during the mission.
“Bringing home the hostages is a mission, bringing those who are no longer alive, the fallen, to burial in Israel, and—of course—to bring those who are alive back home,” said Halevi. “Dismantling Hamas is essential to prevent another Oct. 7. Bringing back the hostages is our moral duty that we strive for,” he added.