From the Liveblog of
Tuesday, January 23, 2024
IDF says troops have encircled Khan Younis, are pushing deeper into Hamas stronghold
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleEmanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
The IDF says that overnight it completed the encirclement of southern Gaza’s Khan Younis, killing dozens of Hamas operatives in the process.
The 98th Division led a major push into the western part of Khan Younis over the past day, with the 7th Armored Brigade and Givati Brigade encircling the city.
The division’s Commando Brigade has carried out operations deeper into Khan Younis, which the IDF says is a major Hamas stronghold.
Over the past day, the IDF says ground forces engaged in close-quarters battles with Hamas operatives and airstrikes were carried out, and “many dozens of terrorists” were killed.
The IDF says troops killed Hamas fighters wielding RPGs just dozens of meters from the soldiers, gunmen who had opened fire, and operatives booby-trapping buildings and roads with explosive devices.
Troops operating in the Khan Younis area also uncovered rockets prepared for launch, tunnels, and other weapons, the IDF adds.
אוגדה 98 מבצעת ביממה האחרונה מתקפה נרחבת בחאן יונס.
צוותי הקרב של חטיבת הצנחנים, חטיבת גבעתי וחטיבה 7 השלימו את כיתור חאן יונס ולוחמי עוצבת הקומנדו העמיקו את ההתקפה ללב המרחב, אשר משמש כמרכז כובד של חטיבת חאן יונס בארגון הטרור חמאס>> pic.twitter.com/6zak4sCu5D— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) January 23, 2024
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