Media: Israel uses displaced people’s blankets as disguise in Khan Yunis hostage rescue attempt Photo

A covert Israeli special forces unit disguised itself among displaced Palestinians in Khan Yunis, Gaza, in a daring operation aimed at rescuing Israeli hostages, Palestinian and Israeli media reports reveal.

The unit concealed weapons and ammunition inside bags covered with blankets to blend in with the civilian population, Caliber.Az reports per Al Arabiya.

Footage from the scene showed the soldiers disguised, carrying bags and blankets as if they were displaced persons carrying their belongings. According to sources from Al Arabiya and Al Hadath, the Israeli unit entered central Khan Yunis on May 19 to extract Israeli prisoners held in the area.

However, the operation did not result in the release of any hostages. Israeli military sources later confirmed that the mission had two main objectives: to capture a senior leader of the Al-Qassam Brigades—the armed wing of Hamas—and to rescue hostages.

The unit reportedly wore women’s clothing as part of their disguise and attempted to arrest the Hamas commander based on intelligence suggesting his presence outside the tunnels, possibly with captives. When it became clear that no hostages were present, the force withdrew without a clear outcome.

Meanwhile, an Israeli army spokesperson announced the ongoing “Operation Gideon's Chariots” across Gaza but did not specify the Khan Yunis raid. The military campaign follows Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s declaration of a “strong military battle in Gaza,” with Israeli forces reportedly entering the territory to achieve the objectives of the war.

Israel is escalating military pressure on Hamas in the besieged Gaza Strip in an effort to compel the group to make further concessions during negotiations.

Hamas, however, remains firm on its demands for a complete end to hostilities and the entry of humanitarian aid in exchange for the release of all Israeli hostages.

Estimates indicate that approximately 58 Israeli hostages have remained in Gaza since October 7, 2023, with 24 confirmed alive according to Israeli military sources.

By Aghakazim Guliyev