Israeli forces encircle Rafah, IDF intercepts 3 rockets fired from southern Gaza

The Israeli military has encircled the strategically important southern Gazan border town of Rafah, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed in an official statement. 

"The IDF will continue to solidify its control on the main passageway and take action to thwart terror activity," the military stated. 

The Israel Defense Forces have completed their deployment along the so-called Morag Corridor in Gaza, which effectively cuts southern Gaza from the rest of the coastal enclave.

In addition, Israeli forces are controlling the Philadelphi Corridor, which separates southern Gaza from Egypt.

By controlling both corridors, the IDF seeks to encircle and isolate southern Gaza, where much of Hamas’ remaining operatives are believed to be located. The IDF says it has eliminated dozens of Hamas operatives in recent days of fighting, including senior terrorist commanders. 

Meanwhile, Israeli aerial defenses successfully intercepted three rockets launched by terrorists from southern Gaza against Israeli border communities. There were no reported Israeli injuries or material damage from the attacks.

Earlier this week, Hamas terrorists fired 10 rockets at the southern Israeli coastal city of Ashkelon in the largest barrage of rockets against Israel in several months. 

“Following the sirens that sounded at 21:01-21:02 in the Lakhish area, approximately ten projectiles were identified crossing into Israeli territory from central Gaza,” the IDF said in an official statement. 

“Approximately five projectiles were successfully intercepted by the IAF [Israeli Air Force]. Falls were identified in several areas. IDF Home Front Command soldiers are dispatched to the scenes and are operating in cooperation with Israeli security forces,” the military added.

The recent rocket barrage from Gaza resulted in no casualties or material damage in Israel. In stark contrast, Hamas launched approximately 4,000 rockets during its unprecedented assault on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. According to Israeli military assessments, the majority of Hamas’ original rocket arsenal has been depleted after more than 18 months of ongoing conflict with Israel.

Although Israel has largely neutralized the once serious Hamas rocket threat, the terror group continues to occasionally fire a smaller number of rockets, likely as a show of force to suggest it still retains operational capabilities.

Defense Minister Israel Katz urged Gaza's civilians to end the war by ousting Hamas from power and securing the release of the remaining 59 Israeli hostages.

“It is time to stand up and remove Hamas and release all the Israeli hostages. This is the only way to end the war,” he stressed, adding that “those interested will also be able to voluntarily move to various countries around the world, in accordance with the vision of the US president, which we are working to carry out.”

Katz warned that the IDF's operations against Hamas would expand to most parts of Gaza. 

“Intensive IDF activity will soon expand to additional places in most of Gaza, and you will have to evacuate the combat zones,” he stated. 

Katz told them that Hamas leaders are not concerned about their well-being.  

“Hamas is unable to protect the residents or the territory. Hamas leaders are hiding in tunnels with their families and in luxury hotels abroad with billions in their bank accounts and are using you as hostages,” he said. 

A senior Hamas official told the AFP news outlet that the terror group would dispatch a delegation to Cairo, Egypt, for talks concerning a new ceasefire agreement. 

"We hope the meeting will achieve real progress towards reaching an agreement to end the war, halt the aggression and ensure the full withdrawal of occupation forces from Gaza," the Hamas official stated.