Israeli forces eliminate 20 armed radicals in Rafah raids

The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) have eliminated 20 armed radicals during raids in the area of the city of Rafah in the south of the Gaza Strip.  

In addition, the troops in the area “struck terrorist targets” and discovered a large number of weapons and military equipment, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

Army units are also continuing operations in the areas of the towns of Khan Younis in the south of the enclave and Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip, the military pointed out. In addition, the Israeli Air Force air strikes “destroyed loaded rocket launchers in the Khan Younis area,” the press service also said.

According to the IDF, “troops continue operational activities and destroy armed terrorists throughout the Gaza Strip.”

More than 40,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza, said the Gaza Health Ministry.

Israel’s offensive has also wounded 92,401 people and displaced over 85% of the population from their homes, the ministry said. It does not distinguish between civilians and militants in its toll.

The conflict began October 7 after Hamas-led militants attacked southern Israel, killing some 1,200 people — most of them civilians — and dragging roughly 250 hostages to Gaza.

Israel says 111 of the captives have not been released, including the bodies of 39. The hostages include 15 women and two children under the age of 5.

In Gaza, health officials have struggled to fully identify the dead as bodies stream into overwhelmed hospitals and morgues where they say the count is compiled amid the chaos of war and displacement.