Strike near Gaza City port targeted meeting of Hamas elite Nukhba force commanders — IDF

Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent

Palestinians inspect the damage after an Israeli airstrike on a cafe at the Gaza port in Gaza City, August 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)
Palestinians inspect the damage after an Israeli airstrike on a cafe at the Gaza port in Gaza City, August 18, 2026. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi)

The military says its strike earlier today near the port of Gaza City targeted commanders and operatives in Hamas’s elite Nukhba force while they were meeting.

One of the terrorists had invaded Israel during the October 7, 2023, onslaught, according to the IDF.

The military says that the targets included a Nukhba force company commander, three platoon commanders, and several more terror operatives, who were all planning attacks against Israeli troops operating in the Strip.

The results of the strike will be released once they are verified, the IDF says.

According to Palestinian media, the strike hit a cafe and killed six, wounding 10 others.

The army says that it took steps to minimize harm to civilians in the strike.

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