The terror organization Hamas continues to use civilians as human shields: In recent days, the Golani Brigade combat team has been operating in the Rafah area to locate and destroy Hamas terror infrastructure. During the operation, forces discovered a tunnel shaft located in a compound that had been used as a kindergarten — just 100 meters from a building that served as a school.
Yahalom, the IDF’s elite combat engineering unit, under the brigade’s command, investigated the shaft, which led to a booby-trapped underground tunnel tens of meters long. The route served as a key movement corridor for Hamas. Both the shaft and the tunnel were destroyed.
Watch the discovery:
“Hamas violates international law by exploiting civilian infrastructure for terror”
The IDF stated that Hamas “systematically violates international law by cynically using civilian institutions and innocent populations for terrorist purposes.” The IDF Spokesperson’s Unit emphasized that operations will continue “with strength and determination” even during the upcoming holiday.
Divisions 36 and 252 intensify parallel operations
At the same time, Gaza Division forces continue intensive operations in Tel al-Sultan and the nearby Shaboura neighborhood. Operating in dense urban terrain, the troops are engaging armed terrorists and have recently destroyed booby-trapped buildings, launch sites, and terror infrastructure. Several terrorists were eliminated during the fighting, and forces continue advancing through the area with the goal of locating and dismantling additional terror cells.
Meanwhile, Division 36 expanded its operations overnight along the Morag route in southern Gaza. These efforts are part of ongoing ground operations in the area, targeting both underground tunnels and surface threats. Troops eliminated several terrorists and destroyed underground infrastructure that posed a direct threat to the forces.
In northern Gaza as well, military activity is ongoing. In the past 24 hours, Division 252 forces destroyed terror infrastructure both above and below ground. During sweeps of the area, soldiers identified a building used by armed terrorists. A swift and precise tank strike eliminated the cell.
Air Support
The Israeli Air Force is contributing to the broader effort, striking approximately 40 terror targets across the Gaza Strip in the past 24 hours. The strikes were carried out by fighter jets and UAVs in full coordination with the ISA (Shin Bet), Military Intelligence, and the Southern Command. Targets included terrorist squads, buildings used for terrorist activities, weapons depots, communication and command infrastructure, and launch sites.
