Further Hamas ambushes to kidnap IDF soldiers expected, IDF officials say

Unlike the affirmations of the officers according to which the terrorists do not operate in a framework organized in the areas captured by the FDI, the agents of Hamas managed to attempt an operation organized in Khan Yunis.

Officials of the Southern South Command assessed on Wednesday that more attacks similar to that of the Khan Yunis sector, who surprised the troops of the KFIR brigade, are expected.

Although the FDI said that Hamas no longer works as a military force in the areas captured by Israel, an organized level terrorist attack was nevertheless carried out on Wednesday.

Military sources said that evening that Hamas and other terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip would try to launch attacks on FDI positions in the buffer zone.

The Military Intelligence Directorate and SHIN BET officials have determined that the main possible action plan in the band during the current fights will be attacks against forces in posts and areas where the troops are stationed, until the launch of the operation to capture Gaza City. Security managers have added that in recent months, the attacks provided in a similar format have been thwarted to Gaza thanks to specific information provided to the FDI.

Each active battalion of Hamas or comparable terrorist unit operates independently under the direction of the main command of the military wing, according to the assessments of command officers of the South. These terrorist training courses are waiting inside the tunnels, supported by routes in buildings that provide them with food and information. Last week, the active tunnels used by Hamas were identified and destroyed.

Officials have also evaluated that this posture awaiting terrorists will challenge the FDI during the operation to capture Gaza City. Consequently, they considered that entry into the heart of the city will be particularly aggressive and accompanied by heavy fire.

Exploit a vulnerability to combat

In recent months, senior officers had argued that the Hamas military wing no longer works as a functional army in captured areas. However, today, Hamas has exploited a vulnerability against an elite force of the FDI in the depths of the Palestinian territory in Khan Yunis, making an attack on an organized level. Military officials have evaluated that behind the 20 terrorists around who participated in the battle, there were safeguard forces providing surveillance and information on the region, alongside a command post nearby.

“Terrorists were equipped with combat equipment that looked like the quality of October 7,” said an officer present on the scene. “The terrorists were not supposed to violate the structure in which the soldiers were. This requires an in -depth investigation.

“Hamas has managed to concentrate its efforts and almost overwhelmed a unit. The proximity of the tree of the tunnel from which the terrorists emerged in complete surprise increases the evaluation that they intended to remove soldiers. The mutual support between the forces of the TDI on the ground rejected the attack.”

The incident occurred Wednesday when Hamas agents attacked a position inhabited by the Haruv recognition unit, which is part of the KFIR brigade in Khan Yunis. The terrorists opened fire with machine guns and anti -tank missiles. A battle between TSAhal troops and the terrorists followed for several minutes.

A soldier was seriously injured and two others were slightly injured. Ten terrorists were killed, some due to the help of the Air Force. In the end, the FDI managed to repel the attack.

A military source from the Southern Command said the terrorists who had led the attack to kidnap the soldiers. “Hamas has set up a level; it increases its friction with the FDIs,” said the source. “We are preparing for additional incidents.”