IDF says several Hamas operatives killed in Gaza airstrikes

The IDF says it struck and killed a Hamas operative who fired a rocket from central Gaza at southern Israel yesterday, within minutes of the attack.

The rocket landed in an open area near the Gaza border, causing no damage or injuries.

Within several minutes, the Nahal Brigade spotted the operative who fired the rocket and directed an airstrike against him, the IDF says.

The IDF says that other Hamas cells were killed in the area.

Meanwhile, in southern Gaza’s Khan Younis, the IDF says the 7th Armored Brigade, Paratroopers Brigade, and Commando Brigade continue their operations, including raiding Hamas sites, capturing weapons, and killing operatives in the process.

Several airstrikes were carried out against Hamas operatives near the troops, the IDF says.

In one incident in Khan Younis, the Paratroopers Brigade using a drone spotted a Hamas cell moving toward them, and called in an airstrike, the IDF says. It adds that a short while later, another four operatives were spotted and also struck.

אתמול זוהה שיגור ממרכז רצועת עזה שחצה לשטח ישראל ונפל בשטח פתוח במרחב העוטף.
דקות ספורות לאחר מכן, מכלול האש של חטיבת הנח״ל זיהה את המחבל שביצע את השיגור נע במרחב העיר עזה, כלי טיס של חיל האוויר בהכוונת מכלול האש של חטיבת הנח״ל תקפו וחיסלו אותו>> pic.twitter.com/rFCWJNvvEi

— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) February 19, 2024