Despite pause, IDF says fighter jets striking Hamas cells in Gaza City still attacking troops

Skirmishes are ongoing in Gaza despite a pause in offensive activity by Israeli forces, the Israel Defense Forces says, reporting that it carried out a number of airstrikes in response to Hamas attacks yesterday.

The IDF halted its offensive in Gaza City on Saturday amid a push by US President Donald Trump to reach an end to the war, with troops on the ground only carrying out defensive operations.

The army says one strike was carried out by Israeli Air Force fighter jets on a cell of fighters armed with mortars and explosive devices, killing them. According to the IDF, “the group had planned to carry out terror attacks against troops operating in Gaza City.”

בסגירת מעגל מהירה: כוחות אוגדה 98 חיסלו מספר חוליות מחבלים אשר קידמו מתווי טרור נגד הכוחות במרחב העיר עזה

אתמול, מטוסי קרב של חיל האוויר בהכוונת פיקוד הדרום ושב"כ, תקפו וחיסלו חוליית מחבלים חמושה במטענים ומרגמות. החולייה שחוסלה תכננה לבצע מתווי טרור נגד כוחות צה״ל הפועלים במרחב… pic.twitter.com/sx6nbQdmKa

— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) October 6, 2025

Another strike targeted a cell which was launching mortars at soldiers in Gaza City, one of which lightly wounded a soldier. The army says the soldier was taken to a hospital for treatment and his family was notified. Fighter jets struck and killed the operatives who had been launching the mortars, the IDF says.

In a third incident, the military says Hamas operatives fired rocket propelled grenades at engineering vehicles being used in Gaza City by the 98th Division, without any injuries being caused. Fighter jets hit the building from which the projectiles were fired, according to the army.