Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said: “I have given instructions to occupy additional areas in the Gaza Strip, evacuate the population and expand the security zones. We will fight in the air, land and sea and expand ground maneuvers.”
Situation in the Northern Governorate – Beit Lahiya axis: The IDF launched an operation in northern Gaza, aimed at clearing militant infrastructure in the Beit Lahiya area. Israeli forces from the 252nd “Sinai” Division advanced across the northern border with Gaza, through the buffer zone and along the coastal road through the rubble of former residential areas.
They secured positions there, before advancing southeast toward the town of Atatra, shooting at buildings with armored fighting vehicles and tanks. Part of Atatra was occupied without any resistance by Hamas’s “Imad Aql” battalion (part of the Northern Brigade) operating in the area.
Situation in Gaza Governorate – Netzarim Axis. IDF units of the 16th Division continue to advance along the former Netzarim corridor, reoccupying key defensive positions and former command posts west of the Salah Al-Din highway. Israeli forces captured the Turkish hospital, which the IDF said was a Hamas command and control center. They reported that IDF soldiers dismantled the militants’ infrastructure and cleared the facility. Hamas reportedly abandoned the facility before Israeli forces reached it, however.
Situation in Rafah Governorate – Shaboura Axis. IDF armored units and soldiers, possibly including forces from the 188th Armored Brigade, began a new operation in Rafah aimed at clearing the remains of militant infrastructure in the city. IDF forces advanced along multiple axes, including Omar Ben Alkhatab Street, Abu Baker Al Seddeq Street, among others, clearing the ruins of the Shaboura refugee camp.
They encountered little to no resistance in their operations due to the four Hamas battalions subordinate to the Rafah brigade, which are ineffective in combat. The vast majority of militants from Hamas battalions in Rafah governorate were killed or fled through tunnels to join other battalions further north. Small groups of militants remain in the remains of the tunnel network beneath the city and in the ruins of buildings, but there is no major presence in the Shaboura refugee camp, which would mean that Hamas’s Shaboura Battalion has been almost completely dismantled.
Antonio Albanese e Graziella Giangiulio
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