Israeli forces detain 250 militants hiding in residential towers of Khan Yunis

Israeli military personnel in Khan Yunis have apprehended 250 Palestinian militants, according to a statement released by the Israel Defense Forces on Wednesday. Operating alongside the elite Shayetet 13 unit, members of the IDF’s Commando Brigade conducted a raid on terrorist infrastructure located in the Hamad Towers district of the city. Among those captured were numerous militants who surrendered, including a Hamas sniper cell commander and two Hamas squad commanders. Additionally, a substantial quantity of weaponry was seized during the operation, including Kalashnikov rifles, grenades, vests, RPGs, explosives, ammunition, explosive kits, and closed-circuit diving systems, all intended for military and terrorist purposes. Several other individuals affiliated with the Palestinian Islamic Jihad were also taken into custody.

Recent evacuation efforts by Israeli forces from the towers resulted in the apprehension of dozens of militants attempting to escape amidst the civilian population. Some of those detained had been involved in the October 7 massacre, while others were identified as members of Hamas’s elite Nukhba force. The IDF reported that many of the detainees are currently undergoing interrogation.

The Hamad Towers, constructed with funding from Qatar following the Gaza War of 2012 and inaugurated in 2016, comprise a residential area consisting of 40 towers. Khan Yunis, the second-largest city in Gaza, is considered a stronghold of Hamas, led by Yahya Sinwar.

On October 7, Hamas carried out attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border, resulting in the deaths of at least 1,200 people and the abduction of 240 Israelis and foreigners. Israel recently declared 31 of the remaining 134 hostages as deceased.