Israeli Troops Complete Successful Operation in Gaza’s Khan Younis

Latest Developments

Following a successful week-long operation in Khan Younis, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on July 30 that it was withdrawing from the southern Gaza city. Led by the IDF’s 98th Division, the operation began on July 22 when Israel called on civilians to evacuate an area between Khan Younis and Mawasi that had been used by Hamas to launch rockets. Subsequently, Israeli troops retrieved the bodies of five hostages discovered in a 60-foot-deep tunnel. During a week of fighting Hamas, the IDF estimates that it eliminated 150 terrorists who infiltrated the area, which had been designated as part of the neighboring Mawasi humanitarian zone.

Expert Analysis

“The IDF’s battle in Khan Younis in July successfully eliminated terrorists who cynically used an area that was supposed to be part of a humanitarian zone to hide the bodies of hostages and launch rockets at Israel.” — Seth J. Frantzman, FDD Adjunct Fellow

“The Israeli military’s return to areas previously secured highlights the persistence of Hamas and its allies. However, Israel’s decision to re-enter Khan Yunis was justified. The military not only recovered the bodies of hostages but also dismantled terrorist infrastructure that had reemerged in the area. Furthermore, the Israeli military will likely need to return to areas previously under its control as emerging threats arise once again.” — Joe Truzman, Senior Research Analyst at FDD’s Long War Journal   

Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad Continue Threats from Gaza

The IDF’s operation to clear terrorists from Khan Younis removed terrorist infrastructure and eliminated threats, even as Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) vowed to continue attacks. On July 30, PIJ claimed via the Arabic-language, pro-Iranian Al-Mayadeen news outlet that it had attacked IDF forces near Tel al-Hawa in Gaza. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh also traveled to Iran, Hamas’s main sponsor, where he briefed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei on Hamas’s continued operations in Gaza. In addition, the IDF said on July 30 that Israel launched an airstrike to target a Hamas commander who was responsible for anti-tank missiles in Hamas’s Nuseirat Battalion in central Gaza.

Related Analysis

“Israel Recovers Bodies of Five Hostages in Gaza,” FDD Flash Brief

“IDF: Terrorists Used Humanitarian Zone to Launch Rockets at Israel,” FDD Flash Brief

“Israel Targets Hamas and Islamic Jihad Terrorists Hiding in UNRWA School,” FDD Flash Brief