Dozens of Terror Targets in Khan Younis Struck by Israel

Latest Developments

Israeli ground forces and fighter jets destroyed dozens of Hamas terror targets overnight in the city of Khan Younis in southern Gaza, an Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman said on December 7. The IDF also reported that it eliminated Hamas terrorists who emerged from a tunnel shaft in Khan Younis. Hamas uses tunnels in civilian areas in Gaza to hide and carry out terror attacks. In northern Gaza, IDF infantry and armored units reportedly carried out a raid on a terrorist compound and targeted Hamas’s Jabalya Battalion, killing several terrorists and seizing a weapons cache.

Expert Analysis

“It is important that Hamas leaders be found by Israel and held accountable for the massacre of October 7. IDF operations in southern Gaza have targeted Khan Younis, the hometown of Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar. Sinwar’s decision to launch the October 7 attack illustrates how Hamas has become an existential threat to Israel and must be defeated completely in Gaza.” — Seth J. Frantzman, FDD Adjunct Fellow

“It’s becoming clear that Hamas is increasingly incapable of stopping Israel’s advancement into southern Gaza. Consequently, facing immense pressure, Hamas may opt to divert Israel’s attention by igniting other arenas. In particular, Hamas’s focus could shift toward the West Bank and the al-Aqsa Mosque.” — Joe Truzman, Research Analyst at FDD’s Long War Journal

IDF Closes in on Hamas Leader’s Home

The home of Hamas terror leader Yahya Sinwar is located in Khan Younis. Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on December 6 that Israeli forces “are currently surrounding Sinwar’s house. His home is not his castle, and he can flee, but it is only a matter of time until we find him.” Khan Younis is an important city for Hamas command and control in Gaza. “The entire leadership of the Hamas terror organization — political and military — grew up in the area of the city of Khan Younis, including Yahya Sinwar, Muhammad Sinwar, and Mohammed Deif. Now the city is surrounded by the 98th Division,” the IDF said on December 6.

Israel Plans $8 Billion Budget for War Effort

The Israeli Knesset passed an initial reading of a budget bill that would allocate over $8 billion for the war effort. The funds will be divided between military needs and supporting civilian areas affected by the war. Israel has evacuated numerous border communities near Gaza and in northern Israel. Hamas badly damaged some of the communities near Gaza in the October 7 attack.

Related Analysis

“Khan Younis Operation Could Help Free Hostages, Israel Says,” FDD Flash Brief

“U.S. Continues to Arm Israel as IDF Discovers Large Hamas Weapons Depot,” FDD Flash Brief

“Egypt Accepts Only Small Number of Temporarily Displaced Gazans,” FDD Flash Brief