Jerusalem: The Israeli Air Force (IAF) has announced that its fighter jets conducted airstrikes on more than 450 military targets belonging to the Hamas terrorist organization throughout the Gaza Strip within the last 24 hours.
The Israeli Air Force shared this update via its official X account, highlighting the extensive nature of the operation. The targets included various military installations, observation posts, and anti-tank firing positions used by the Hamas organization.
Simultaneously, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported that it has deployed an increased number of troops as part of an expanded military operation within the Gaza Strip. These forces are penetrating deeper into the enclave than they have since the conflict's onset.
During these operations, an IDF officer sustained serious injuries due to a mortar impact, and another soldier was moderately injured during a gun battle with Hamas. Both incidents occurred in the northern Gaza Strip overnight. The injured personnel were promptly evacuated to a hospital for treatment.
The current conflict between Israel and Hamas began on October 7th, initiated by a large-scale infiltration by around 2,500 terrorists from Hamas into Israel through various means—by land, sea, and air. The ensuing violence has led to casualties, with over 1,400 people killed, including a significant number of civilians in their homes and even at an outdoor music festival.
In response to the escalated operations, the IDF issued urgent calls to civilians in Gaza, urging them to relocate to safer areas to the south. As Israel proceeds with its military efforts on the ground, civilians are encouraged to move to regions where they can receive essential supplies such as water, food, and medicine. This humanitarian effort to support Gaza is being led by Egypt and the United States.
In a video statement posted on the IDF's X profile, IDF Spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari emphasized that the ongoing conflict is specifically with Hamas, not the people of Gaza. He noted that Hamas has been using Gazans as human shields during the offensive. The IDF maintains a clear distinction between terrorists and civilians, but Hamas operates within and beneath civilian structures, exploiting this fact.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the commencement of the second stage of the war against Hamas, which began with the introduction of additional ground forces into Gaza on Friday night. Israel's objective remains to defeat the Hamas terrorist organization and safeguard its existence within its own territory.
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