The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Tuesday that its forces had killed “many” Hamas terrorists during the extensive ground operations in the Gaza Strip over the past day, as well as hitting around 300 targets.

The IDF and ISA (Air Force) also announced that they had killed the Commander of the Beit Lahia Battalion of the Northern Brigade of Hamas, Nassim Abu Ajina (pictured), who had organized part of the October 7 attack on Israel.

“His extermination does significant damage the efforts of the terrorist organization Hamas to disrupt the ground activities of the Israeli Army” emphasized in the joint statement.

IDF

The IDF says targets struck by ground, air and naval forces in the past hours included anti-tank guided missile and rocket launch sites, tunnel entrances and Hamas military installations.

The Israeli military noted that during the ground operations, troops clashed with terrorist cells that fired rockets and opened fire with other heavy weapons against Israeli forces.

The IDF says Israeli troops killed the core members, and called in the Air Force to carry out strikes amid the fighting.

The military statement did not provide information on possible new casualties on the Israeli side.

IDF

IDF

According to the New York Times, Israeli troops on Monday night appeared to have surrounded Gaza City, sealing it off from the north and south but keeping most forces outside the metropolis, in what was described as “a kind of pincer movement.”

IDF

IDF

For its part, Hamas claims it shelled Israeli infantry forces near in Kerem Shalom in the southern Gaza Strip.

No air raid sirens were heard in that area, according to Israel’s Home Front Command.

IDF

IDF