‘There will be no revival for those who seek to destroy us’ – After a year of war, IDF continues to strike Hamas in Gaza

After months of lower-intensity activities in the Gaza Strip, Israel Defense Forces ramped up its operations in northern Gaza.

Over the past several days, the IDF has issued evacuation orders for almost the entire northern section of Gaza amid a large-scale operation in Jabaliya.

Forces of the 162nd Division have been conducting operations over the last two days, with battlegroups of the 401st and 460th Brigades encircling the area after reports of “efforts by Hamas to rebuild its operational capabilities.”  

In the hours leading up to the start of the ground activity, the Israel Air Force (IAF) struck dozens of targets under the direction of the 215th Fire Brigade, including Nukhba terrorists, underground infrastructure and other infrastructure used by Hamas.

The IDF spokesman said one of the Hamas command-and-control centers targeted in those strikes “was embedded inside a compound that previously served as a UNRWA center.” 

Palestinian sources reported a wall of armored vehicles surrounding the neighborhood late on Saturday evening. The following morning, the IDF began dropping leaflets in Arabic calling residents to evacuate to the newly expanded humanitarian area in al-Mawasi in southern Gaza. 

The expanded humanitarian area includes field hospitals that were established during the outbreak of the war, tent compounds, as well as supplies of food, water, medicine and medical equipment. The IDF also announced the reopening of two evacuation routes to enable residents to reach the humanitarian area. 

On Sunday, the IDF announced it had encircled Jabaliya to combat efforts by Hamas to rebuild its operational capabilities there. 

The operation marks the third time the IDF has operated in Jabaliya since the start of the war last October.

Soldiers of the 162nd Division continue to lead the operation, having moved from the Philadelphi Corridor, where they were tasked with securing the border with Egypt and destroying Hamas infrastructure, including smuggling tunnels.

The 162nd Division includes the 401st Armored Brigade, which led the ground campaign into Gaza last Oct. 27. The 401st has been fighting in the Gaza Strip for one year. According to the IDF, the soldiers have located many weapons in Jabaliya, including grenades, ammunition, and explosives and encountered Hamas fighters.

In one of the incidents, forces of the 401st Brigade combat team encountered two terrorists in a building and eliminated them after an exchange of fire. 

Israel's Kan news outlet reported that the IDF thwarted “showcase attacks” planned for Monday – exactly one year since the Hamas attack in southern Israel – which were intended to demonstrate that the group has not yet been defeated.

Kan cited another “source in Gaza” who claimed that “Hamas planned a propaganda event on the occasion of October 7. The IDF's operation in the Gaza Strip disrupted the plan.” 

According to the source, Hamas is planning to release more propaganda videos of the hostages either later on Oct. 7 or in the coming days. He claimed that Sinwar is alive, but living in tunnels underground for fear of an Israeli strike. 

On Sunday evening, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi addressed the one-year anniversary of the IDF’s fight against Hamas during the Gaza War. 

“This is a long war, measured not only by capabilities but also by the willpower and perseverance over time. For our enemies—every month, every week, and every day is worse than the one before. Even after the campaign ends, we will need to maintain our achievements, and our enemies will know, beyond any doubt, there will be no revival for those who seek to destroy us,” Halevi said in his remarks to IDF soldiers.

“A year has passed, and we have defeated the military wing of Hamas, and we continue to fight against the organization’s terror capabilities.”