Last night (Monday-Tuesday), the IDF launched a planned precision attack against Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip, following the terror group’s continued refusal to release the hostages and its rejection of all mediation proposals from the United States and other nations. According to the IDF, the operation was executed after meticulous and highly confidential preparations to ensure the element of surprise and maximize the effectiveness of the strikes against terror strongholds.
A Forceful Response to Hamas’ Defiance
Defense Minister Israel Katz declared after the strikes began: “If Hamas does not release all the hostages, it will face an IDF offensive unlike anything it has seen before. We will not allow Hamas to regain strength and endanger Israeli citizens.”
Among the targets destroyed were key terrorist infrastructure, weapons depots, and strategic sites used by Hamas to maintain its military power. During the operation, several senior Hamas officials were eliminated, including Mahmoud Abu Watfa, a high-ranking official in Hamas’ Interior Ministry, and Abu Ubaida al-Jamassi, a member of the terror organization’s political bureau.
At the White House, officials clarified that the Israeli operation was coordinated with the Trump administration. A White House spokesperson told Fox News that Israel reaffirmed its commitment to securing the release of its hostages and preventing Hamas from re-emerging as a threat.
IDF: “We Will Continue Until the Mission is Accomplished”
The IDF emphasized that the operation will persist as needed and will not be limited to airstrikes alone. “Hamas was actively planning attacks and rearming itself, and it was crucial to strike at this stage,” the IDF stated.
Home Front Command: Restrictions in Gaza Border Communities
As part of overall security measures, the IDF’s Home Front Command announced that the Gaza border communities will operate under restricted conditions, with schools remaining closed to ensure residents’ safety. Train services between Ashkelon and Sderot has been temporarily suspended based on security assessments.
Message to Israel and the World: The Hostages Are the Top Priority
In line with directives from the Israeli leadership, the country will continue to take all necessary actions to achieve its objectives—chief among them, bringing all hostages home. “This operation was launched because Hamas violated every possible agreement, leaving Israel with no choice but to act,” a senior security official said.
This is one of the most carefully planned operations in recent times, with the element of surprise enabling significant blows to Hamas’ operational capabilities. Military analysts predict that continued strikes will further pressure Hamas, accelerating negotiations for the hostages’ release and degrading the terror group’s combat abilities.
