Day 160: IDF eliminates another Hamas commander in Rafah airstrike as Khan Younis operations continue

Israel Defense Forces have eliminated Hamas’ Operations Unit commander in the area of Rafah, the IDF announced on Wednesday evening.

Muhammad Abu Hasna was a combat support operative in Hamas’ military wing of al-Qassam Brigades. He was also allegedly involved in confiscating humanitarian aid and giving it to Hamas terrorists instead of the Palestinian population of Gaza. 

As a commander, Hasna coordinated the activities of various Hamas units, as well as activated and communicated with Hamas field operatives. He managed an intelligence operations room that provided information on IDF positions for use in Hamas attacks. 

His elimination should significantly reduce the operational capabilities of Hamas units in Rafah, according to the Israeli military.

The IDF has continued to operate throughout the Gaza Strip as preparations for an incursion into Rafah progress.

On Wednesday, a mortar shell fired from central Gaza toward Kibbutz Nahal Oz in southern Israel fell inside the Gaza Strip. Within a few minutes, the terrorists responsible for the attempted launch were killed by IDF airstrike. 

A terrorist cell located adjacent to troops in central Gaza was identified and eliminated by tank fire. 

Soldiers of the 98th Division continued operating in Khan Younis, conducting raids on terror targets and eliminating terrorists. 

In the Hamad City neighborhood of Khan Younis, soldiers raided several structures based on intelligence, finding rocket launchers that were destroyed. Two terrorists operating in the area were identified and eliminated. 

In Bani Suheila, three terrorists approaching IDF troops were killed by tank fire. IDF troops also directed an aircraft to strike and eliminate two terrorists who were located next to a Hamas weapons storage facility. 

Soldiers of the Givati Reconnaissance Unit apprehended a Hamas operative in the Khan Younis Brigade. Intelligence from his interrogation led forces to Hamas infrastructure where approximately 15 terrorists were operating. An IDF airstrike eliminated them and destroyed the building.  

Soldiers from the Maglan, Egoz and Givati Reconnaissance Units apprehended several terrorists, including a commander from Hamas’ Nukhba Forces, during military activities.

Intelligence gathered from interrogations directed troops to other Hamas infrastructure in the area, including tunnel shafts, booby traps and several hiding spots.

During Israeli Air Force (IAF) strikes in the Gaza Strip, a Hamas terrorist responsible for numerous rocket launches toward Israeli territory, including on Oct. 7, was eliminated.

Over the past day, wide-scale strikes in enemy staging grounds in Deir-al-Balah were carried out. Several terrorist sites were destroyed as part of those strikes, including operational shafts and anti-tank launch posts. 

While no firm date has been given, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant hinted on Wednesday that an IDF incursion into Rafah is imminent.