From the Liveblog of
Saturday, December 9, 2023
IDF reports heavy fighting overnight in northern Gaza, airstrikes across the Strip
Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
Fighting between the IDF and Hamas operatives continued in the northern Gaza Strip overnight, alongside airstrikes.
The IDF says troops of the Kfir Infantry Brigade encountered a Hamas cell in a school in Gaza City’s Shejaiya neighborhood. The troops killed the gunmen and later found inside the classrooms weapons and military equipment.
Troops of the Armored Corps operating with the Paratroopers Brigade found and destroyed a tunnel shaft in Shejaiya, which the IDF says was part of a “wide” tunnel network. Another tunnel shaft in the area had an elevator, according to the IDF.
The IDF says troops of the Golani Brigade identified a number of Hamas operatives with anti-tank missiles approaching them in Shejaiya. The soldiers called in an airstrike, and a combat helicopter killed the operatives, the IDF says.
In Beit Hanoun, the IDF says the 5th Reserve Infantry Brigade came under fire by Hamas operatives shooting from a mosque and a UNRWA school.
Footage published by the IDF shows Hamas operatives opening fire at troops from an UNRWA school in northern Gaza's Beit Hanoun, and a strike in response. pic.twitter.com/eNpNsTsJJ4
— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) December 9, 2023
The Navy also carried out strikes in the Strip overnight, including a building with Hamas operatives in it, identified by ground forces. The Navy also hit other sites and vessels belonging to Hamas, the IDF says.
