Israeli forces conducted a raid on luxury homes owned by Hamas terrorists as well as on the group’s parliament and police headquarters in Gaza City. This move resulted in the discovery of numerous weapons and tunnel entrances.
The neighborhoods of Sheikh Ijlin and Rimal in Gaza City were targeted by Israeli paratroopers and armored units, with missile launches and direct raids. Despite extensive destruction caused by previous air strikes, the Israel Defense Forces reported encountering Hamas operatives and eliminating them. Additionally, several affluent homes owned by terrorists were raided.
A subsequent search by the IDF uncovered 35 tunnel shafts leading to Hamas’ 300-mile underground network and multiple weapon caches. The IDF’s 7th Armored Brigade and Golani Infantry Brigade successfully took control of Hamas’ parliament building, government complex, and police headquarters.
The IDF also captured a Gaza university faculty building suspected of being used for weapon development. Furthermore, a Hamas training base, command center, interrogation rooms, and detention cells were commandeered.
Hamas has not responded to the conflict in Sheikh Ijlin and Rimal, owing to widespread communication blackouts in Gaza. Notably, Sunday’s assault is part of the IDF’s northern Gaza campaign aimed at eliminating Hamas, following a deadly attack by the terrorist group that killed more than 1,200 people, primarily Israeli civilians.
Despite rising casualties, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres condemned the airstrikes on Gaza, resulting in deaths at UN facilities. Philippe Lazzarini, head of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, emphasized the need to protect civilians in Gaza amid the ongoing conflict. Lazzarini expressed outrage at the attacks on UN-marked buildings, resulting in significant loss of life.
