Day 26: IDF says 15 soldiers killed Tuesday as fighting in Gaza City continues; more than 11,000 Hamas targets struck

The IDF continued operations in Gaza on Wednesday night, striking an operational headquarters along with several squads of Hamas terrorists. 

Yesterday, a high-rise building being used by Hamas fighters in the Jabaliya area was hit by the Israel Air Force, resulting in the collapse of the building and significant damage to surrounding buildings, including a school, a medical center and municipal offices. 

Ibrahim Biari, the commander of Hamas' Central Jabaliya Battalion, was killed in the strike, along with dozens of other Hamas terrorists. 

Biari’s elimination was part of a widescale IDF operation aimed at eliminating Hamas infrastructure in Jabaliya, which had taken control over civilian buildings in Gaza City. 

As a result of the strike, dozens of terrorists were killed. Underground terror infrastructure embedded beneath the buildings – used by the terrorists – also collapsed after the strike. 

After initial reports claiming that dozens had been killed, Hamas later stated that over 400 people were killed in the strike that eliminated Biari. The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry also claimed that Israel dropped 6 tons of bombs on the site. 

Egypt and Jordan issued statements condemning Israel for “indiscriminate attacks.” 

The IDF and Shin Bet security agency said they warned residents several minutes before the bombing to flee the area. Israel has been warning residents of the northern Gaza Strip to flee to the south for several weeks. 

Additionally, the IDF took control of a Hamas compound in Jabaliya. The compound was used by Hamas’ Jabaliya Battalion for training and the execution of terror activities. The compound contained firing positions, terror tunnels used by terror operatives as a passageway to the coast, and a large stock of weapons used by the terrorists. 

IDF forces destroyed entrances to the tunnels, weapons, and military equipment before securing the compound. 

A vehicle carrying anti-tank missiles was identified by the IDF and struck.

Yesterday, the IDF also eliminated the commander of the Beit Lahia Battalion in Hamas' northern brigade, Nassim Abu Ajina, who organized raids into two communities on Oct. 7. 

Since the beginning of the war, the IDF has struck over 11,000 Hamas targets in the Gaza Strip. The IDF said it had eliminated over 50 Hamas terrorists in fighting on Tuesday. 

On Wednesday morning, the IDF allowed a list of names of the nine soldiers killed during the operation to be released. 

Later in the day, the IDF released the names of additional soldiers, bringing the total killed in Tuesday's fighting to 15.

Eleven soldiers from the Givati Infantry Brigade were killed when an anti-tank missile struck their armored personnel carrier. Another four soldiers were injured in the same attack. Two reconnaissance soldiers were killed by RPG fire, while two tank operators were killed by an improvised explosive device (IED). 

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant wrote a statement praising the fallen soldiers.

"The fall of IDF fighters in battle against Hamas terrorists in Gaza is a severe and painful blow. Our hearts and thoughts are with their dear families. Unfortunately, the significant achievements of the powerful fighting deep in the Gaza Strip exact a heavy price. We are prepared and ready for a long and complex campaign that requires daring, determination and perseverance – we will win."

During yesterday’s operations, two other soldiers were killed by RPG fire. The IDF had not yet published an updated number of soldiers killed since the ground invasion at time of publication.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the notification of fallen soldiers.

"We are in a difficult war. This will be a long war. We have so many important achievements but also painful losses," he said in a statement on Wednesday morning.

"We know that every soldier of ours is an entire world. The entire people of Israel embrace you, the families, from the depth of our heart. We are all with you during your heavy sorrow," he continued.

"Our soldiers have fallen in the most just of wars, the war for our home. I promise the citizens of Israel: We will complete the work – we will continue until victory."