During the first day of Operation Strength and Sword, the IDF struck numerous terror targets and militants from the Hamas terrorist organization across Gaza, including mid-level commanders and senior officials in Hamas’s political wing. During the night (between Tuesday and Wednesday), the Air Force attacked 20 targets in the Strip.
Updates Throughout the Day:
19:39: The IDF is increasing pressure with round-the-clock strikes.
In recent hours, fighter jets and aircraft attacked a vehicle in which two terrorists were traveling in the southern Gaza Strip, alongside strikes on terror infrastructures, observation points, and additional terrorist targets. An IDF spokesperson stated: “The IDF and Shin Bet are currently targeting terror objectives throughout the Strip and will continue to operate against terrorist organizations in Gaza to eliminate any threat to the citizens of the State of Israel.”
19:20 – The IDF is in control of part of the Netzarim Axis, aiming to complete the occupation.
IDF forces regained control of one-third of the Netzarim Axis in the Gaza Strip today as part of efforts to restore full control over the axis. The next goal: complete occupation and re-establishing Israeli control. This move is intended to apply pressure on Hamas and lead to the renewal of negotiations, as reported this evening by journalist Shirit Avitan Cohen.
17:25 – New Policy in Gaza: Entry to the humanitarian area only after security checks.
The IDF plans to carry out a comprehensive evacuation of all residents of the Gaza Strip to a new humanitarian area designated for long-term stay. This move is backed by the American administration and includes a series of unprecedented steps to ensure that everyone entering the humanitarian area undergoes rigorous checks to ensure they are not terrorists, as reported today by Yinon Magal.
17:03 – IDF Spokesperson Confirms: IDF Forces have begun focused ground operations in Central and Southern Gaza.
The IDF spokesperson confirms that during the past 24 hours, IDF forces have begun targeted ground operations in the central and southern Gaza Strip. The objective: to expand the security area and create a partial barrier between the northern and southern Gaza Strip. As part of the operation, the forces have reasserted and expanded their control up to the center of the Netzarim Axis. Meanwhile, it has been decided that Golani Brigade forces will position themselves in the southern sector and be prepared to operate in the Gaza Strip.
16:41 – Defense Minister Declares: “The evacuation of the population from combat areas will begin again soon.”
Defense Minister Israel Katz addressed the residents of Gaza: “The first Sinwar destroyed Gaza, and the second Sinwar will completely ruin it. The evacuation of the population from combat areas will begin again soon, and the consequences will be much harsher, and you will pay the full price. Return the hostages and oust Hamas, the alternative is total destruction and devastation.”
15:55 – Close to Sinwar – The IDF publishes names of senior terrorists eliminated.
The IDF reports that in the past 24 hours, its forces eliminated senior terrorists Yaser Muhammad Harb Musa, who held the security portfolio in the Hamas political bureau and was head of the development office in the organization’s executive committee, and Muhammad Jamazi, chairman of the emergency movement committee of Hamas in the Gaza Strip.
The two were involved in directing terrorist operations and governance within the organization and were considered close to Hamas leadership, including Yahya Sinwar. Musa, who was one of those responsible for Hamas’s security activities, was directly involved in planning and executing terror plots against Israel.
15:50 – Arab Report: IDF Tanks Advance Towards the Netzarim Axis.
Gazan sources reported shortly ago about the advancement of tanks towards the Netzarim area along the Salah al-Din route.
14:37 – Reports of More than 70 Injured Gazans Flown to Romania and Italy from Ramon Airport Today.
14:18 – IDF Updates: These Are the Targets Attacked by the Air Force During the Night.
“The IDF continued throughout the night with waves of strikes across the Gaza Strip, attacking dozens of terrorists from terrorist organizations in the area using fighter jets and naval vessels, in addition to targeting terrorist infrastructures and launch areas. Among the terrorist infrastructures attacked was a command post of the Hamas terrorist organization in the Deir al-Balah area, from which many terrorist plots against the Israeli home front and IDF forces were planned. The IDF will continue to operate against the Hamas terrorist organization to eliminate any threat to the citizens of the State of Israel,” it was stated.
13:46 – IDF Denies: We Did Not Attack a UN Facility.
“Contrary to reports, the IDF did not attack a UN facility in Deir al-Balah. The IDF calls on media outlets to exercise caution with unverified reports,” the IDF stated.
12:50 – Palestinians Claim IDF Attacked a UN Facility.
In Gaza, it is reported that the IDF attacked a UN facility and that as a result, one worker was killed, and several others were injured.
12:46 – Three Terrorists Eliminated.
According to Palestinian reports, three terrorists were killed in an Israeli strike in Beit Lahiya in the northern Gaza Strip, and others were injured.
9:46 – Concurrent with Fighting in Gaza: Security Exercise in the Gush Etzion Area.
A security exercise is taking place throughout Tekoa, particularly in the area of the Hariton Cave and the young brigade. The exercise will be conducted between 18:00 and 20:00. During the exercise, there will be significant movement of military vehicles, soldiers, and armed personnel from the security array and the alert squad.
9:08 – IDF Spokesperson Issues Urgent Warning to Gazans: Evacuate Immediately from Designated Areas.
IDF Spokesman in Arabic, Colonel Avichai Edrei, issued an urgent warning to Gazans residing in the neighborhoods: Beit Hanoun, Khuza’a, and the large and new areas of Abasan.
In a post on his X account, he wrote: “We reiterate our warnings to the residents of the Gaza Strip in the areas marked in red, especially Beit Hanoun, Khuza’a, Abasan al-Kabira, and Al-Jadida. For your safety, you must evacuate immediately to known shelters in western Gaza City and Khan Younis. Anyone who remains in these marked areas is endangering his life and the lives of his family members.”
9:24 – IDF: The Air Force Attacked About 20 Targets of Hamas and the Islamic Jihad in the Strip Last Night.
During the night, the Air Force struck 20 targets of Hamas and the Islamic Jihad in the Gaza Strip.
09:14 – IDF Spokesperson Updates That IDF Continues to Strike Terror Targets in the Gaza Strip.
Last night, the IDF attacked a military site of the Hamas terrorist organization in northern Gaza, where preparations for firing into Israeli territory were identified. Additionally, naval forces attacked several vessels in the coastal area of the Gaza Strip that were intended for carrying out terrorist operations by Hamas and the Islamic Jihad organizations. The IDF stated: “The IDF continues to strike terror targets in the Gaza Strip to eliminate any threat to the citizens of the State of Israel and IDF forces.”
8:08 – Reports from Gaza Indicate 14 Eliminations During Last Night’s IDF Strikes.
Following the IDF’s strikes last night in Gaza, 14 fatalities are reported in the Strip.
7:45 – Somaliland Foreign Minister Does Not Rule Out Possibility of Resettling Gazans.
The Somaliland Foreign Minister, Abdi Rahman Dahir Adan Bakal, hinted in a statement to Kan 11 that he would be willing to consider the possibility of resettling Gazans in his country: “The most important thing for us is to gain recognition after we have shown the world that we are a peace-seeking and democratic nation, which has been independent for 33 years,” the minister stated.
“We Are Open to Discussion on Any Matter, but We Do Not Want to Raise Speculations About Issues Not Yet Discussed.”
“All countries interested in discussing certain issues must first establish working relations with us and open diplomatic representations in Somaliland,” he added.
From Here Onward, Negotiations Will Only Be Conducted Under Fire
Last night, Prime Minister Netanyahu stated in a media announcement that Israel will act against Hamas “with increasing intensity.” “From now on,” Netanyahu said, “negotiations will only be conducted under fire.” Regarding the next stages of the war, the Prime Minister explained: “Hamas has already felt our might in the last 24 hours, and I want to assure you and him: this is just the beginning. We will continue to fight to achieve all the goals of the war—release all our hostages, eliminate Hamas, and ensure that Gaza no longer poses a threat to Israel.”
Ongoing Action Against Hamas, Alongside the IDF’s Full Commitment to Recover the Hostages
The Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, conducted a field tour in the Rafah area of the Gaza Strip with the commander of the Gaza Division, Brigadier General Barak Hirem, the commander of the Golani Brigade, Colonel L, and other commanders. The Chief of Staff spoke with the soldiers and was briefed on the defensive preparations and operational plans for the continuance of the operation. During his visit in Rafah, the Chief of Staff told his troops: “Your mission is to protect the settlements here. We are engaged in ongoing operations against Hamas, alongside the IDF’s full commitment to the return of the hostages.”
