IDF eliminates 250 terrorists, neutralizes nearly 4 miles of tunnels after 3-week military operation in southern Gaza

Israel Defense Forces completed an intensive 3-week-long military operation against Hamas terrorist forces in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis on Friday.

The IDF announced it eliminated more than 250 terrorists and neutralized about 6 km (3.7 miles) of tunnels used by the terror organization. In addition, Israeli forces located and retrieved the bodies of the murdered Israeli hostages Alex Dancyg (75), Yagev Buchshtav (35) Chaim Peri (79), Yoram Metzger (80), Nadav Popplewell (51) and Avraham Munder (78).

The operation in southern Gaza, led by the IDF’s 98th Division, was launched in early August and focused on the areas of Khan Younis and the outskirts of Deir al-Balah, two of Hamas' strongholds in southern Gaza.

It was the third Israeli military operation in Khan Younis since the beginning of 2024, which previously served as the headquarters of Hamas in southern Gaza, and the home of several top leaders, including Yahya Sinwar.

During the intensive operation, Israeli forces destroyed Hamas infrastructure both above and below ground. IDF soldiers eliminated terrorists and located weapons caches in some of the tunnels.

In early April, the IDF withdrew most of its forces from Khan Younis ahead of the well-coordinated operation against Hamas forces in Rafah, the strategic southernmost town in Gaza, adjacent to the Egyptian border. However, the IDF recognized that Hamas operatives have been returning to some areas previously vacated by the IDF.

The Israeli military announced it would allow local Gazans in the Khan Younis suburb of al-Qarara to return to their homes. The civilians had been evacuated for safety reasons, as there had been Hamas activity in the area, which often occurs in civilian zones, in violation of international law.

IDF Arabic-language spokesman, Col. Avichay Adraee, announced that the al-Qarara would again be included in the Israeli-designated “humanitarian zone.”

The size of the humanitarian zone in the Gaza Strip has been adjusted during the conflict, as Hamas has been reported to operate near civilian areas within these zones. Currently, approximately 18 square miles (46 square km), or nearly 13% of Gaza, is designated as a humanitarian zone. The epicenter is situated in the al-Mawasi region along Gaza’s southern coast and extends to the western neighborhoods of Khan Younis and central Gaza’s Deir al-Balah area.

In July, the IDF troops eliminated Hamas’ top military commander Mohammed Deif, who was hiding together with his deputy Rafa’a Salameh in the humanitarian zone close to al-Mawasi.

Deif and Sinwar are considered the masterminds of the Oct. 7 Hamas invasion and massacre of over 1,200 men, women and children, and the kidnapping of 251 from southern Israeli border communities.

In early August, the IDF estimated it had eliminated over 17,000 terrorists in Gaza since the war began on Oct. 7. The number includes many of Hamas' top leaders and military commanders. In addition, Israeli forces also killed at least 1,000 terrorists inside Israel's territory during the attack.