Israel Conducts Extensive Airstrikes, Eliminates Hamas Operatives

The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) reported on Saturday that they had carried out extensive airstrikes overnight, resulting in the elimination of numerous Hamas members.

According to the IDF, Ali Qadhi, a company commander, was targeted in a drone strike, following intelligence coordination between the Shin Bet security agency and Military Intelligence Directorate. Qadhi had a history with Israel, having been arrested in 2005 for the abduction and murder of Israeli civilians. He had been released to the Gaza Strip as part of the 2011 Gilad Shalit prisoner exchange.

The airstrikes primarily focused on militants from the "Nukhba" branch of Hamas, identified by the IDF as a significant force behind the recent infiltration into Israel. The IDF statement highlighted that their operations had also struck the operational headquarters of Hamas responsible for aerial activities and resulted in the elimination of Merad Abu Merad, the head of the Hamas Aerial System in Gaza City.

The conflict between Hamas in the Gaza Strip and Israel began a week ago when Hamas initiated a surprise offensive on Israeli communities and cities along the southern border, killing well over 1,000 civilians and the abduction of more than 100 others.

Reports from Israeli media on Saturday morning indicated that the Israeli army had conducted raids in West Bank territories controlled by the Palestinian Authority, leading to the arrest of several senior Hamas leaders. The IDF has yet to officially confirm this development.