Israel Destroys Long-Range Missile Launcher in Gaza

Latest Developments

An Israeli fighter jet destroyed a long-range missile launcher in the southern Gaza city of Khan Younis, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on February 1. On January 29, Hamas had launched a large barrage of rockets at Tel Aviv and central Israel, though terrorist rocket fire from Gaza declined overall in January. The IDF said on January 31 that troops were “continuing extensive activities in western Khan Yunis. Over the past day, IDF troops eliminated terrorists in the area in close-quarters combat. In addition, IDF troops directed several aircraft that struck and eliminated a number of terrorists in different areas.”

Expert Analysis

“By locating and destroying more rocket launchers in Gaza, the IDF is defeating Hamas and preventing it from terrorizing Israeli civilians. Hamas and other terrorist groups in Gaza have fired more than 9,000 rockets at Israel since October 7. It is essential that the Hamas rocket infrastructure be uprooted and dismantled.” — Seth J. Frantzman, FDD Adjunct Fellow

“The good news is that the IDF seems to be making speedy progress dismantling terror infrastructure in northern and central Gaza, the result of which has been a dramatic drop in the rockets fired towards Israeli communities. However, there are still thousands of Hamas fighters in southern Gaza hiding among over a million civilians, and the IDF still has a long way to go to pacify the enclave.” — Enia Krivine, Senior Director of FDD’s Israel Program and National Security Network

Israel Raids Weapons Manufacturing Plant of Palestinian Islamic Jihad

Israeli forces raided a Palestinian Islamic Jihad weapons manufacturing plant in West Khan Younis, the IDF said on January 31. The site included a lathe for making projectiles, long-range rockets, and anti-tank missiles. Israeli soldiers also found explosives stored in bags with an UNRWA logo, the IDF said. In addition, Israeli forces destroyed a terror tunnel. The discovery of the weapons manufacturing site is the latest in a number of similar sites found in Gaza. The IDF dismantled an even larger “weapons manufacturing industry” in mid-January. Hamas and Islamic Jihad used local weapons manufacturing facilities to produce the large arsenal of rockets and other munitions that they have deployed against Israel over the last decades.

Related Analysis

“IDF Destroys Hamas Rocket Launchers After Large Barrage on Tel Aviv,” FDD Flash Brief

“Israel, Hamas Weigh Three-Stage Deal for Return of Hostages,” FDD Flash Brief

“Israel Floods Some Gaza Tunnels,” FDD Flash Brief