IDF says fresh Gaza op targeting terrorists in eastern Bureij, Deir al-Balah

The IDF’s new operation in the central Gaza Strip is focusing on the eastern areas of Bureij and the east of Deir al-Balah, the military says.

The IDF had previously battled Hamas in Bureij in January, but until now, had not operated in the Deir al-Balah area.

The new offensive is being carried out by the 98th Division, which had until recently been deployed to northern Gaza’s Jabaliya. Before that, the division fought Hamas in Khan Younis, in the Strip’s south.

The IDF says the operation is being carried out following intelligence on operatives and infrastructure belonging to terror groups above and below ground in the area, several kilometers from the Israeli border.

As ground troops pushed into the east Bureij and east Deir al-Balah areas, a large wave of airstrikes was carried out, targeting weapon depots, underground infrastructure, buildings used by terror groups, and other sites, the IDF says.

The military says several Hamas operatives were killed in the strikes.

The new offensive comes as the IDF continues to operate in southern Gaza’s Rafah and in the Netzarim Corridor in the central part of the Strip.