Israeli forces launched a new offensive in Gaza City. The IDF’s 99th Division targeted terrorists, operatives, and weapons in several neighborhoods after calling on civilians to evacuate toward the south. In addition, Israeli forces continued to operate in Shejaiya, uncovering weapons and munitions.
The Israel Defense Forces found a long tunnel in central Gaza and have eliminated around 100 terrorists in recent operations, the IDF said on July 1. On June 30, Israel also told civilians to evacuate Khan Younis after rocket fire, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu conducted meetings with IDF commanders to discuss the war in Gaza.
The Israel Defense Forces launched a new offensive into the northern Gaza neighborhood of Shejaiya, an area the IDF previously cleared of Hamas terrorists in December 2023 during the first ground maneuvers of the campaign. This raid and similar ones aim to defeat returning Hamas terrorists and find Israeli hostages.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant traveled to Washington, DC, where he discussed the next phase in Israel’s operations in Gaza. Separately, IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi praised the IDF for its progress in defeating Hamas in Rafah and uncovering tunnels in the area.
Israeli forces expanded operations into Khan Yunis in southern Gaza on Tuesday, December 5. IDF Southern Command head Maj. General Yaron Finkelman called December 5 the most intense day of fighting since the beginning of the ground operation. The IDF is also focusing on defeating remaining Hamas units in Jabalya and Shujaiya, adjacent to Gaza City. Israel has detained over 1,200 Hamas operatives in the West Bank since October 7, IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi said.