Israeli defence chief announces liquidation of Khan Younis Brigade

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant told his American counterpart Lloyd Austin in a telephone conversation that Israel completed liquidating the Hamas Khan Younis Brigade in the Gaza Strip.

"We have successfully eliminated the Khan Younis Brigade of Hamas. Our operations in Khan Younis reflect our policy since the beginning of the war - to work clearly, to distinguish between terrorists and civilians, and to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid despite numerous threats," TASS reports citing the Israeli Defence Ministry's press service.

"The IDF acts professionally in a complex environment against a brutal terrorist organisation that places its military infrastructure and its militants among civil populations and civil institutions such as hospitals," Gallant said.

"He [Gallant] also expressed his appreciation to the US Secretary of Defence for his leadership and partnership, and reaffirmed the value of a strong US-Israel relationship," the MoD press office added.

Galant briefed Austin on "the operational situation in the war against the Hamas terrorist organisation and detailed progress in dismantling terrorist infrastructure and eliminating militants in central and southern Gaza," the MoD said.

"The sides also discussed efforts to return hostages to their homes and expressed their commitment to resolving this issue," the press service added.