Israeli forces, led by Brig. Gen. Dan Goldfus, launched a re-invasion of Khan Yunis in Gaza, targeting Hamas forces in the area. This marked the first significant Israeli operation there since April 7, when the initial invasion took place. IDF tanks and military vehicles specifically targeted eastern Khan Yunis, where Hamas was trying to reconstitute itself under the guise of a humanitarian zone.
With a large civilian population concentrated in Khan Yunis, the IDF faced the challenge of minimizing harm to civilians while neutralizing Hamas threats. Top Hamas leaders, including Mohammed Deif and Rafa’a Salame, were believed to be operating in the area. Despite criticism from some quarters, the IDF maintained its focus on preventing Hamas from regrouping in Khan Yunis.
In parallel, other IDF operations in Rafah targeted Hamas terrorists embedded in civilian areas. The Nahal Brigade successfully conducted multiple operations, eliminating terrorists and locating weapons caches. The Gaza Health Ministry reported a high number of Palestinian casualties, with conflicting claims about the nature of these casualties.
Overall, the IDF’s operations in Khan Yunis and Rafah underscored the ongoing challenge of combating Hamas while minimizing harm to civilians in Gaza.