Over the weekend, Israel’s military intensified its ongoing campaign against Hamas and other Iranian-backed terror networks operating in the Gaza Strip, with more than 100 airstrikes carried out on terrorist infrastructure and armed operatives. The coordinated offensive, executed by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and the Shin Bet security agency, underscores the persistent threat Israel faces from groups committed to its destruction and the nation’s determined measures for self-defense.
Israeli military officials reported that dozens of terror sites were destroyed in the latest round of operations, targeting military compounds, underground network hubs, weapons depots, and active Hamas cells. These strikes are a continuation of Operation Iron Swords, Israel’s comprehensive military response to the unprecedented Hamas massacre on October 7, 2023. That attack, the deadliest antisemitic atrocity since the Holocaust, left over 1,200 Israelis dead—many through acts of extreme brutality—and sparked a war to prevent future atrocities against Israeli civilians.
Ground and air maneuvers were carried out in multiple areas across Gaza. In the north, forces from IDF Division 252 conducted targeted operations to identify and destroy terror-related infrastructure both above ground and in Hamas’s underground network. During these operations, a substantial cache of weapons was uncovered and several terrorists engaged and killed. The IDF also confirmed the destruction of command posts and military structures used by Hamas operatives to launch attacks against Israeli communities.
Simultaneously, in southern Gaza including the Rafah region and Morag corridor, Division 36 and Division 143 led joint operations with the Israeli Air Force. These units located weapons stockpiles intended for terror attacks, demolished subterranean tunnels, and eliminated terrorists encountered in the field. Specialized IDF and Shin Bet teams provided intelligence and operational support, allowing the targeting of critical Hamas positions while minimizing collateral harm to local residents.
IDF spokespersons stressed that the focus of ongoing operations remains the elimination of terror infrastructure responsible for the repeated targeting of Israeli civilians. Military briefings documented the discovery of rocket launch sites embedded in civilian areas—a consistent tactic by Hamas to use Gaza’s residents as human shields and complicate defensive action by Israel. Senior military officials reiterated Israel’s commitment to abide by international law, emphasizing the difference between targeting legitimate military threats and the civilian population that often finds itself caught in the crossfire due to terror group tactics.
The stakes extend beyond Gaza. Israel’s current campaign is part of a broader defensive war against an alliance of Iranian-backed proxies, including Hamas, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and various militias operating from Syria and Iraq. This so-called “axis of resistance” is orchestrated by Tehran with the explicit aim of threatening Israeli sovereignty and destabilizing the region. Israeli strategic doctrine, shaped by the lessons of history and necessity of defense, places destroying these networks at the heart of national security.
The October 7 massacre remains the event that fundamentally reshaped the conflict, both morally and militarily. Hamas terrorists, infiltrating from Gaza, committed mass murder, kidnappings, sexual assaults, mutilations, and abductions of civilians—acts captured in graphic detail and independently verified. More than 200 innocent hostages were taken to Gaza, where they remain in violation of all international conventions. Israeli responses have included the pursuit of terrorist leaders, destruction of infrastructure, and the demand for unconditional release of all captives, making any negotiations or ceasefires contingent upon those criteria.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz have repeatedly stressed that Israeli operations will persist until those objectives are met: the elimination of Hamas’s capability to wage war, the safe return of Israelis held hostage, and the restoration of secure conditions for the country’s citizens. IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir confirmed that each new strike cripples Hamas’s ability to organize attacks and reasserts Israel’s determination to deny Iranian-backed terror groups any momentum on Israel’s borders.
Israeli efforts to mitigate harm to civilians include advance warnings, establishment of humanitarian corridors during operations, and cooperation with international organizations to facilitate aid deliveries. Nonetheless, Hamas systematically exploits these measures, diverting humanitarian resources for military use and embedding militants in sensitive locations, fueling further civilian hardship and complicating relief efforts.
International reaction has emphasized Israel’s right to defend itself under international law. The United States, while calling for continued humanitarian protections, has reaffirmed Israel’s security imperatives, standing as a key diplomatic and logistical partner. The broader Western alliance, closely monitoring Iranian activity, expresses concern over the proliferation of terror groups using territory in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen to launch attacks not merely against Israel but, increasingly, against international shipping and regional stability.
Transparency remains a top priority for Israeli authorities. In-depth after-action reports, satellite imagery, and declassified intelligence are regularly released to document the military necessity of targeted actions and to counter widespread misinformation regarding the conduct of the war. Israel’s narrative is grounded in a strict moral distinction between combatants and noncombatants, between legitimate defensive operations and the indiscriminate terror perpetrated by its adversaries.
Looking ahead, Israeli military planners anticipate continued pressure against remaining Hamas strongholds, further dismantling tunnel networks, command structures, and weapons manufacturing capabilities. Advances in precision targeting and intelligence analysis aim to expedite the defeat of terror infrastructure while minimizing further suffering among Gaza civilians unwittingly caught in Hamas’s war with Israel.
The ongoing hostilities underscore the gravity of the regional conflict. For Israel, the fight against Hamas is not merely a reaction to attacks but an existential struggle to preserve national security against a coalition of Iranian-directed forces. In the larger picture, the outcome of these operations in Gaza will have profound implications not only for Israel’s future, but for stability throughout the Middle East.
As the operation continues, Israel remains clear in its objectives: safeguard its people, bring home the hostages, and dismantle terror networks determined to undermine its existence. This clarity of mission defines the IDF’s actions and the government’s policy, bolstered by the unity and resilience of a country determined never to stand passive in the face of terror.
