Israeli Forces Progress in Fight Against Terror in Khan Younis

Latest Developments

Israeli soldiers “identified a terrorist cell that planted explosive devices near the troops operating in” Khan Younis, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on February 9. Khan Younis is a Hamas terrorist stronghold. The city has extensive terrorist infrastructure underground, including tunnels used to hold Israeli hostages kidnapped by Hamas on October 7. The IDF has been operating in the city for two months. “IDF special forces raided a compound in the area used by Hamas terrorists to carry out attacks on IDF troops,” the IDF reported on February 9.

Expert Analysis

“Hamas continues to pose a threat from multiple places in Gaza. The terrorist group has sought to infiltrate areas in northern Gaza and threaten Israel again. Additionally, Hamas controls the southern Gaza area of Rafah, where it exploits its position to control humanitarian aid and use civilians as human shields. To prevent Hamas from again threatening Israel and the region, its terrorist infrastructure and its remaining terrorist cells must be dismantled.” — Seth J. Frantzman, FDD Adjunct Fellow

“Khan Younis is a significant hub of operations for Hamas and other Palestinian terrorist organizations. Despite the overwhelming Israeli military presence in the city, terrorist groups are leveraging tunnels and civilian infrastructure to carry out attacks. Israel will need a considerable amount of time to remove the threat of armed groups operating in the city.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst at FDD’s Long War Journal

Israeli Operations in Gaza Target Hamas in Beit Lahiya and Rafah

The IDF continued to combat terrorists across Gaza on February 8, including in the southern city of Rafah and the northern city of Beit Lahiya. Rafah is the last major urban area in Gaza under Hamas control. In Beit Lahiya, “troops identified an armed terrorist cell operating in an area adjacent to a Hamas military post,” the IDF said. Israeli forces prevented the terrorists from carrying out an attack by deploying aircraft to strike them.  

Israeli Bedouin Who Entered Gaza in 2016 Indicted for Supporting Hamas

The Israeli Justice Ministry indicted an Israeli citizen from a Bedouin community in southern Israel for joining Hamas and providing the terror group sensitive information, Israeli media reported on February 9. Abu Ghanima entered Gaza in 2016 and tried to return to Israel in December 2023, two months after Hamas’s massacre of Israelis. The allegations illustrate how Hamas attempted to gather information on IDF bases near Gaza. Hamas compiled maps and extensive details on targets that terrorists struck on October 7.

Related Analysis

“Tunnel Used by Hamas to Hold Hostages Found in Gaza,” FDD Flash Brief

“Facing Low Poll Numbers, PA President Pushes for Palestinian Statehood,” FDD Flash Brief

“Israel Spurns Hamas Demands, Vows Total Victory in Gaza,” FDD Flash Brief