Israeli Forces Intensify Operations in Gaza, Demand Hostage Release

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz announced on Saturday evening that military operations in the Gaza Strip are entering a “decisive phase” in the conflict against Hamas. Katz stated that over 750,000 Palestinians have evacuated southward from Gaza City, despite ongoing threats from Hamas. He emphasized that the military campaign aims to dismantle terrorist infrastructure, claiming that “terrorist towers” have been demolished.

Katz noted that autonomous vehicles are deployed ahead of ground forces to neutralize explosive devices, enhancing the safety and effectiveness of operations. “IDF soldiers are fighting bravely, thwarting terrorists and taking control of more and more neighbourhoods and areas in Gaza,” he said, indicating the military’s advancing footprint in the region.

The Defence Minister further escalated his rhetoric, stating that if Hamas does not release all hostages and disarm, “Gaza will be destroyed and Hamas will be annihilated.” He asserted that the Israeli military would not cease operations until all objectives of the war are met.

Operational Developments in Gaza

On Friday, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir conducted inspections in the southern Gaza Strip, reiterating the military’s focus on returning hostages swiftly while simultaneously working to defeat Hamas. Zamir outlined that the IDF has significantly impaired Hamas’s operational capabilities, stating, “We have collapsed its governing capacity, and now the enemy is operating in guerrilla-like patterns.”

In a statement released on Sunday morning, the IDF detailed ongoing ground and aerial operations in the Gaza City area. Over the previous day, IDF troops dismantled military structures and combat compounds in collaboration with the Israeli Air Force. According to the military, approximately 140 terror targets were struck across the Gaza Strip, including military structures and operational terrorists.

The IDF confirmed that during counter-terrorism operations in the central Gaza Strip, five terrorists were identified firing an anti-tank missile towards a building occupied by Israeli troops. Fortunately, no Israeli personnel were injured, as an IAF aircraft swiftly eliminated the threat.

In southern Gaza, the military reported the elimination of several terrorists while dismantling observation equipment and military infrastructure. This ongoing conflict continues to evolve, with the IDF claiming significant tactical gains against Hamas.

Targeted Strikes and Hostage Situations

On Saturday, the IDF and the Israel Security Agency, known as Shin Bet, reported the death of Muhammad Ahmad Yusuf Al-Jamal, a Hamas operative implicated in the killing of Israel Police Chief Inspector Arnon Zamora during a hostage rescue mission in June 2024. Zamora was killed on June 8, 2024, when Israeli forces executed a daring operation in the central Gaza Strip, rescuing four hostages.

The operation, named “Operation Arnon” in Zamora’s honor, aimed to reclaim individuals held by Hamas. The IDF indicated that Al-Jamal was directly responsible for Zamora’s death during the rescue, asserting he also served as a guard for hostages.

The military’s targeted strike also resulted in the death of another Hamas operative, Sari Idris Muhammad Al-Aqrab, who had infiltrated Israel on October 7 and was closely associated with Al-Jamal. These developments signal ongoing efforts by the Israeli military to dismantle Hamas’s command structure and enhance security for its citizens.

The situation in the Gaza Strip remains fluid, with the IDF committed to its operational goals while addressing the pressing issue of hostages. As military actions continue, the human cost of the conflict underscores the urgent need for a resolution.