Recent Israeli airstrikes have resulted in the killing of a senior Hamas operative and destruction of newly established operational command centers in the southern Gaza strip.
On Tuesday, Israeli forces conducted an airstrike in response to continued attacks from Hamas, a militant Palestinian group. According to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) statement, the spokesperson reported the airstrikes were precise and effective.
The main operations hit a Hamas naval commander’s home in Rafah. The senior commander, Yousef Abu-Jarah, was killed, along with other Hamas militants that were in the house. Additionally, the airstrikes destroyed two newly established operational command centers in southern Gaza.
The military also said it had targeted two other weapons production sites located north and east of Khan Yunis. In a statement, IDF spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus said it was the most significant airstrikes since the IDF launched a major operation in the Gaza Strip, in November of last year.
He also said that they had been monitoring the sites for some time and were able to establish these written centers as operational outposts used by Hamas. The strike was in direct response to the attacks by Hamas over the past few days.
These airstrikes come in the wake of a number of Hamas rockets attacks into Israeli territory, which have been met with retaliatory air strikes and ground assaults. The international community has long called for an end to the cycle of violence in the region, however, the situation remains tense and fragile.
Israel and Hamas have been engaged in a conflict for decades, with both sides holding firm to their respective goals. It appears that tensions will continue to remain elevated in the region, until a peaceful resolution can be reached.