The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have carried out a series of targeted airstrikes and ground operations against Hamas positions in the Gaza Strip from December 31 to January 2. These actions follow ongoing rocket and mortar attacks by Palestinian militias targeting Israeli territory, further escalating tensions in the region.
On December 31, the IDF conducted an airstrike on a Hamas sniper unit in the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza. According to the Palestinian Civil Defense, the strike resulted in the deaths of five individuals. The airstrike marks part of the IDF’s broader campaign against Hamas operatives and infrastructure.
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In Khan Younis, the IDF launched another significant operation on January 2, targeting Hussam Shawan, the head of Hamas internal security in southern Gaza. Shawan was reportedly hiding among civilians in the al Mawasi humanitarian zone at the time of the strike. The IDF confirmed his death, stating that Shawan played a key role in Hamas operations. Concurrently, the IDF targeted a Hamas headquarters within a municipality building in the same humanitarian zone, claiming the facility was used to coordinate attacks on Israeli positions.
On January 1, the IDF’s 4th Armored Brigade destroyed a rocket manufacturing facility in Rafah, southern Gaza. The IDF reported that the facility was producing medium- and long-range rockets used in attacks on Israel. Several Hamas fighters were killed during the operation, which forms part of a broader effort to dismantle Hamas’ military capabilities.
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The IDF also issued evacuation orders for residents in the Jabalia and Bureij refugee camps on January 1. The orders, aimed at reducing civilian casualties, instructed residents to move to IDF-declared humanitarian zones. The directive followed rocket launches from these areas targeting Israeli territory, underscoring the continued risk of conflict in densely populated zones.
Meanwhile, Palestinian militias, including Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ), have escalated their attacks. Between December 31 and January 2, militias claimed responsibility for three mortar attacks targeting Israeli forces along the Netzarim Corridor and in eastern Gaza City. They also launched rockets at Israeli towns such as Netivot and Holit. The IDF’s air defense systems intercepted several of these rockets, although some landed in open areas, causing no reported casualties.
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The IDF emphasized that it has employed precision-guided munitions and conducted aerial surveillance to mitigate civilian casualties during its operations. Despite these measures, strikes in densely populated areas like refugee camps continue to pose significant humanitarian challenges.
This recent exchange of fire reflects the ongoing volatility in the Gaza Strip. Both sides remain locked in a cycle of offensive and defensive actions, intensifying the conflict. As the situation develops, international calls for de-escalation and dialogue have grown, but the path to peace remains uncertain.
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