IDF re-enters Sinwar’s hometown Khan Younis in force after intelligence shows significant Hamas buildup

The IDF said Monday evening it had resumed ground operations in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis after calling on civilians to evacuate following several days of rocket launches from the area, and intelligence indicating that the Hamas terror organization was attempting to reestablish itself there. 

Army Radio reported that the IDF ordered three brigades to enter the city: the Paratroopers Brigade; the 7th Armored Brigade; and the Commando Brigade.

According to the report, Israeli troops have not met significant opposition so far.

The IDF said that multiple terrorists were eliminated in airstrikes and tank fire. In addition, more than 30 terrorist structures were struck, including the site from which several launches toward the area of Nir'im had been detected earlier in the day. 

According to the IDF, Israeli Air Force fighter jets struck weapons depots, observation posts, underground shafts, and buildings used by Hamas. 

In a statement, the Israeli military said its tanks entered the city as civilians were evacuating. 

Israel's Channel 14 reported that the IDF had been planning the operation for weeks after receiving intelligence regarding a significant Hamas buildup in the city. 

Palestinian officials claimed the IDF did not give civilians enough time to evacuate before launching strikes. 

"About 400,000 people lived in the fighting zone and dozens of families began to leave their homes," the officials said. Videos on social media showed some families leaving on donkey carts, others on foot, carrying mattresses and other household objects. 

The Palestinian Red Crescent said two of its clinics located in Khan Younis were forced to cease operations due to IDF activity.

Gaza Health officials claimed that Israel reduced the al-Mawasi humanitarian zone in southern and central Gaza from 65 sq km to 48 sq km. According to the officials, around 1.7 million people are currently sheltering in al-Mawasi. 

Civilians interviewed by reporters in Gaza said many people were killed in the strikes, including families with children. N12 News reported that one Gaza resident arrived at the hospital in an ambulance with dead bodies, claiming the strikes began before they could evacuate and said: “A family, including children, died while they were sleeping.” 

Several of those interviewed by foreign journalists slammed Hamas, and Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar for their suffering. 

“Sinwar, in the name of Allah, stop the war in Gaza!” one Gaza resident said in a video shown on N12 News.

“We have no life left. Look at my flip-flop. Is there a Muslim whose flip-flop looks like this? Sinwar, we were destroyed, our homes were destroyed. You sit in the tunnels, eat and drink, and the people are destroyed, look. I've been building this house for 40 years, 45 years, my life has been ruined, my children have been destroyed and my home has been destroyed.” 

Another Gaza resident said he hopes the "Hamas regime will end."

“All the people of the Gaza Strip, everyone, except those who benefit from it and are a tiny minority, hope for the destruction of Hamas,” the man said. “In all honesty, we hope for the destruction of Hamas as soon as possible. I, as a Gazan and a displaced person, pray to Allah that the Hamas regime will end, this tyrannical regime.” 

Yahya Sinwar was born in Khan Younis and turned the city into one of Hamas’ largest strongholds. He is believed to be hiding in tunnels under the city after fleeing from Rafah ahead of the IDF incursion into the town that borders Egypt.