Day 105: Senior Islamic Jihad terrorist eliminated in targeted Israeli airstrike

Israel Defense Forces eliminated the deputy head of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) terror group’s propaganda unit, while Defense Minister Yoav Gallant reiterated Israel’s commitment to continue the war until its goals were reached.

The senior PIJ terrorist, Wael Abu Fanounah, was killed in an airstrike on Thursday, in an operation carried out by the Israeli Air Force under the direction of the IDF Intelligence Directorate and the Shin Bet security agency.

Fanounah helped lead the propaganda efforts of PIJ, the second-largest terror group in the Gaza Strip after Hamas, after previously serving as deputy to PIJ northern Gaza commander, Khalil Bahatini.

In his position, Fanounah created and distributed footage of the terror group firing rockets at Israel and also took part in the group’s psychological warfare by filming videos of the hostages who were kidnapped into Gaza by terrorists on Oct. 7.

On Thursday, Gallant spoke with his U.S. counterpart, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, for the first time since Austin was released from a two-week hospital stay.

Gallant reiterated his appreciation to Austin and the support of the U.S. Biden administration but emphasized Israel’s determination to continue operating in the Gaza Strip until the goals of the war are met.

3/ Palestinian fighters are attacking Israeli forces in the northern Gaza Strip where Israeli forces previously conducted clearing operations. This activity is consistent with CTP-ISW's assessment that Hamas is likely reinfiltrating some of these areas. pic.twitter.com/0h555ylm4r

— Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) January 19, 2024

According to Gallant, the goals include the destruction of Hamas’ military and governing capabilities and the return of hostages held by Hamas and PIJ terrorists and their operatives in Gaza.

Meanwhile, the IDF continues clearing remaining pockets of resistance in the northern Gaza Strip and fighting intense battles in the center and southern part of Gaza.

The IDF’s 179th Brigade soldiers came under RPG fire from a nearby building. Upon raiding the building, the troops found additional RPGs, Kalashnikov weapons and military equipment.

In the southern town of Khan Younis, Palestinian sources reported intense battles and several airstrikes on Friday, according to the Arabic newspaper Asharq Al-Awsat.

In northern Gaza, fighters of the Israeli 5th Brigade have eliminated several armed terrorists in the past day with the help of tank fire and directed airstrikes.

The IDF announced the death of an additional soldier on Friday, Ori Gerby (20), he fell during battles in the Gaza Strip, bringing the number of soldiers killed during the ground offensive against Hamas to 194.

In addition, two soldiers were seriously wounded during fighting in central Gaza, and another soldier was seriously wounded near Khan Younis.