WATCH: IDF troops battle Hamas operatives in Gaza towns used as launch point for multiple Oct. 7 attacks

The IDF releases footage of the Givati Brigade operating in the southern Gaza Strip, killing Hamas gunmen in eastern Khan Younis suburbs.

Over the past week, the IDF says Givati troops killed dozens of Hamas operatives during operations in the so-called Abasan area — named after the towns of Abasan al-Jadida, Abasan al-Kabira, and Abasan al-Saghira — some two kilometers from the Israeli border.

Ahead of the brigade’s operations, airstrikes were carried out against dozens of Hamas sites above and below ground, the IDF says.

In the town of Abasan al-Saghira, the IDF says troops located a hideout apartment used by Hamas, where weapons, including anti-tank missiles, drones, sniper rifles, assault rifles, grenades, RPGS and other equipment were stored.

During operations in the Abasan area, the IDF says troops of Givati’s reconnaissance unit engaged in close-quarters combat with Hamas operatives. In one battle, two soldiers, Staff Sgt. Nerya Belete and Staff Sgt. Ido Eli Zrihen, were killed.

From the Abasan area towns, the IDF says Hamas terrorists set out to attack the Israeli border communities of Kissufim, Ein Hashlosha, Nirim and Nir Oz on October 7.