Tel Aviv [Israel]: Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) successfully eliminated dozens of Hamas militants in ambushes conducted in the northern Gaza area of Jabaliya on Monday night.
The IDF reported that the targeted squads were seen fleeing with weapons in hand. “Many terrorist squads were eliminated in ambushes by the forces after they were seen fleeing with weapons in their hands,” said an IDF spokesperson.
The ambushes were executed using a combination of gunfire and tank shelling, neutralizing Hamas gunmen who were reportedly regrouping in northern Gaza following recent escalations.
Background
Hamas has been attempting to reorganize its forces in northern Gaza after its attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7. These attacks resulted in over 1,200 deaths and 252 hostages being taken, including Israelis and foreign nationals.
Out of the 97 hostages still held, over 30 have been confirmed dead. Hamas also holds two Israeli civilians captive from 2014 and 2015, along with the bodies of two soldiers killed in 2014.
The ongoing conflict has intensified efforts by the IDF to dismantle Hamas’s operational capabilities, particularly in northern Gaza.
