Without elusive hostage deal, IDF continues to dismantle Hamas tunnel network across Gaza Strip

Military sources say some achievements cannot be mentioned yet

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In recent days, the IDF has continued to conduct military operations across the Gaza Strip and has reportedly made significant achievements while dismantling more of the Hamas infrastructure.

The 162nd Division under the command of Brigadier General Itzik Cohen continues to gain achievements in two main locations - the Philadelphi Corridor and the city of Rafah, the Tel A Sultan neighborhood, in particular.

Israeli military sources with the Southern Command, speaking anonymously, told Walla News that the division is making achievements that cannot yet be published.

Their operations strike at the core of Hamas' attempt to re-establish control and are in addition to IDF troops eliminating dozens of terrorists daily.

“The fighting pace of the brigade combat teams is highly appreciated,” the sources stated.

They said the IDF was conducting engineering activities aimed at mapping the area, including locating, exploring, and destroying tunnels.

In the Khan Younis area and on the outskirts of Deir al-Balah, soldiers of the 98th Division eliminated dozens of terrorists and discovered weapons in the past 24 hours. During one incident, the soldiers killed a terrorist who fired an anti-tank missile at the forces by using a drone. There were no IDF casualties.

On Sunday, Hamas launched a long-range rocket toward the Israeli city of Rishon Letzion from an area near a school in Khan Younis

The forces of the 98th Division identified the source of the launch and directed the Israeli Air Force (IAF) to destroy the launcher, along with other terror infrastructure in the area. Following the strike, secondary explosions were detected, indicating the presence of additional rockets.

Israeli troops from the 7th Brigade also operate on the outskirts of Deir al-Balah. In the past two weeks, the soldiers eliminated dozens of terrorists and struck over 100 terror targets in aerial operations.

Yahalom Combat Engineering Unit troops and soldiers of the 603rd Battalion located and destroyed a Hamas tunnel route approximately 700 meters (2,300 ft.) long.

כוחות יחידת יהל״ם ולוחמי גדוד 603 איתרו והשמידו תוואי תת-קרקעי של ארגון הטרור חמאס באורך של כ-700 מטרים>> pic.twitter.com/q6j0Nsh3v0
— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) August 26, 2024

While searching combat compounds in the area, soldiers with the 202nd Battalion discovered munitions, anti-tank missiles, military vests, and knives stored next to a baby crib in a residential apartment.

In central Gaza, the forces of Division 252 continue to destroy terrorist infrastructures, eliminate terrorists and locate underground infrastructures and weapons. The troops, under the command of Brig-Gen. Yehuda Vach, is responsible for the security of the Netzarim Corridor, which divides the Strip into two parts

The Netzarim Corridor has been one of the points of disagreement between Hamas and Israel in the hostage release negotiations, along with the Philadelphi Corridor that runs along the Gaza border with Egypt.

In one incident, soldiers responded with tank fire at terror squads operating in their vicinity, eliminating the threat.

On Sunday, the IDF announced the death of two soldiers — Staff Sgt. Amit Tsadikov (20) was killed during fighting in Khan Younis on Saturday, and Master Sgt. (res.) Shlomo Yehonatan Hazut (36) was killed earlier Sunday in Gaza City.

Both soldiers were killed by explosive devices planted by terrorists.

This brings Israel’s combat death toll during ground operations in the Gaza War to 340.

Low-level negotiations for a truce and hostage-release deal are expected to resume on Tuesday, however, Israeli authorities have expressed pessimism regarding any change to Hamas’ position.