From the Liveblog of
Monday, January 29, 2024
Khan Younis offensive grinds into western environs of city, IDF says
Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
Troops from the Israel Defense Forces’ 98th Division are pressing a large offensive in western Khan Younis, while the 162nd Division is operating “in the heart of” Gaza City to “deepen the achievements” of damage caused to Hamas, the army says in a morning update.
In Khan Younis, the Air Force struck two buildings where Hamas gunmen were gathered; a Commando Brigade spotted and killed a five-man Hamas cell, one of whom was armed with an RPG; and the Paratroopers Brigade raided several Hamas sites and killed four gunmen near the Al-Amal Hospital, the IDF says.
Soldiers also located weapons at Hamas sites and at an apartment used by the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the IDF says.
Meanwhile, in central Gaza, the IDF says the Nahal Brigade killed dozens of Hamas gunmen amid several clashes, as well as with tank shelling.
In the Shati camp of Gaza City, reservists of the 5th Brigade killed several Hamas gunmen in a number of engagements, the IDF says, adding that the soldiers also located several rocket launchers and seized many weapons.
The Air Force also carried out strikes in the Gaza City area, targeting gunmen and striking several Hamas sites. The IDF says fighter jets hit anti-tank missile launch sites, tunnel entrances, observation posts, and other infrastructure belonging to Hamas.
