During the second day of Operation Strength and Sword, the IDF attacked numerous terror targets and militants from the Hamas terrorist organization throughout Gaza, including mid-level commanders and senior officials in the political wing of Hamas. The IDF reasserted control over one-third of the Netzarim Axis in the Gaza Strip. Al-Jazeera reported 71 Palestinian fatalities during the Air Force strikes today (Thursday) in Northern and Southern Gaza. The Hamas-controlled health ministry claims hundreds have been killed or injured since the start of the operation.
Ongoing Updates:
13:32 – IDF: Three Rockets Cross Into Israel from Southern Gaza
Following recent alerts in the Gush Dan and Shfela regions, the IDF confirmed that three rockets crossed into Israeli territory from southern Gaza.
The Israeli Air Force successfully intercepted one rocket, while the other two landed in open areas.
13:30 – Hamas Claims Responsibility for Rocket Fire Toward Central Israel
13:23 – IDF: Red Alerts in Central Israel Triggered by Rocket Launches from Gaza
13:21 – Rocket Sirens Sound in Tel Aviv, Central Israel, and the Shfela Region
12:45 – IDF: Ground Operations Begin in Northern Gaza
In the past few hours, IDF forces launched a ground offensive along the coastal corridor near Beit Lahia in northern Gaza. Prior to the operation, the IDF and Shin Bet carried out airstrikes on Hamas terror infrastructure and anti-tank missile launch sites in the area.
10:13 – Report: IDF Strikes in Rafah, Southern Gaza
According to Gazan reports, the IDF carried out an airstrike in Rafah, southern Gaza. Several Palestinians were reportedly injured in the attack.
09:23: IDF confirms: Additional forces raided the Gaza Strip this morning and expanded territorial control.
Additional forces raided the Gaza Strip this morning and expanded their control in the area. The forces reasserted control over areas the IDF had left when the ceasefire came into effect and expanded the security perimeter, in addition to the takeover of the Netzarim Axis yesterday. The entry was made from new areas in the northern Strip.
08:30: Israel Expanding Ground Operations in the Gaza Strip
IDF forces, with aerial support from combat helicopters, raided additional areas in the northern Gaza Strip today, according to a report by journalist Almog Boker.
07:23: Report: Following the IDF’s attack in Gaza, Hamas seeks to return to negotiations.
Senior sources in Hamas reported to the newspaper Al-Arabi al-Jadid that Hamas has informed the mediating countries that it is willing to respond to any proposal that includes the release of Israeli hostages, provided it is within the framework of moving to the second stage of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
According to the sources, negotiations and discussions are ongoing around the proposal on the negotiation table. They estimated that a Hamas delegation is expected to arrive in Cairo today for meetings with senior Egyptian officials to consider the latest developments.
06:59: Report from Yemen: U.S. military attacked this morning in the districts of Sana’a, Taiz, and Hudaydah in Yemen.
The U.S. military attacked this morning in the districts of Sana’a, Taiz, and Hudaydah in Yemen. During the night, additional targets were attacked in Hudaydah and Al-Mahwit. Yesterday, the Houthis held at least 16 funerals for their people, including senior officers.
06:00: Concurrent with Fighting in Gaza: Surprise Security Exercise in the Golan
As part of the preparations of Brigade 210 (Bashan) for emergencies, a large-scale surprise exercise will take place today in the Golan. Accordingly, there is expected to be significant movement of security vehicles and military presence on the roads and in some of the settlements. Explosions will be heard in the area.
04:13: The Air Force intercepted one missile launched from Yemen. The missile was intercepted before crossing into Israeli territory.
The IDF spokesperson updated following alerts that the Air Force intercepted one missile fired from Yemen. The missile was intercepted before it crossed into the country, and alerts were activated according to policy.
04:02: Alerts were activated following the launch from Yemen; the IDF spokesperson updates that details are under review.
03:59: Alerts Activated in Several Communities Across the Country
The IDF Begins Ground Operations in the Strip
Yesterday, IDF forces began focused ground operations in the central and southern Gaza Strip. The goal is to expand the security perimeter and create a partial barrier between the Northern and Southern parts of the Strip. As part of the operation, forces have reasserted and expanded their control up to the center of the Netzarim Axis. At the same time, it was decided that Golani Brigade forces would position themselves in the Southern sector and be ready to operate in the Gaza Strip.
IDF forces have commenced ground operations in the central and southern Gaza Strip | Photo: IDF Spokesperson
The IDF is expected to carry out a comprehensive evacuation of all residents of the Gaza Strip to a new humanitarian area designated for long-term residence. This is a move backed by the American government and includes a series of unprecedented measures to ensure that everyone entering the humanitarian area undergoes strict checks to confirm they are not terrorists, as reported today by Yinon Magal.
Evacuation of Northern Gaza Residents
The political echelon instructed the IDF to prepare for the evacuation of residents from Northern Gaza to the South, following Hamas’s refusal to release hostages. This was reported by Israeli news channel, Kan 11. It was further reported that the evacuation process to the Mouassi neighborhood in Southern Gaza is expected to take a long time. According to the plan from the political echelon, the IDF will begin evacuating entire areas while concurrently conducting airstrikes and inserting ground forces into the area.
