IDF troops launch a ground operation in Rafah, accompanied by numerous airstrikes that continued for hours. Minister Katz: I call on the residents of Gaza to act now to remove Hamas and return all the hostages.
Defense Minister Israel Katz announced on Wednesday morning that Israel’s operation in the Gaza Strip is expanding, involving the widespread evacuation of the Gazan population from combat zones, the crushing and clearing of the area of terrorists and terror infrastructure, and the seizure of large territories that will be added to Israel’s security zones to protect the fighting forces and Israeli communities.
“I call on the residents of Gaza to act now to remove Hamas and return all the hostages. This is the only way to end the war,” Katz added.
Earlier, Palestinian Arab sources reported that IDF tanks and ground forces started advancing in central and eastern Rafah.
The Palestinian Arabs further noted that the ground operation was accompanied by numerous airstrikes that lasted for hours. According to the reports, more than ten people were killed in the strikes in Rafah overnight.
On Tuesday evening, powerful explosions were heard in Israeli towns located near the Gaza border. The IDF confirmed that aircraft and artillery had launched a series of strikes targeting Hamas infrastructure at multiple locations across the Gaza Strip.
Over the weekend, IDF troops, under the command of the Gaza Division (143) and guided by Military Intelligence and the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet), operated in the “Tel Sultan” neighborhood of Rafah. During the operation, dozens of terrorists were eliminated, and suspects were detained and brought for further interrogation in Israel.
Additionally, the forces located several mortar shells within a Hamas terror infrastructure that previously served as a school, and a launcher with 25 barrels was identified in the area.
