The IDF carried out an airstrike Tuesday evening targeting several Hamas commanders gathered at a café in the Gaza City port area, saying the operatives were planning imminent attacks against Israeli troops operating in the Strip.
The strike took place in the Shati area of northern Gaza. According to reports from Gaza, the target was the “Bitter and Sweet” café located inside the port complex. Palestinian channels reported that at least six people were killed and another 10 wounded in the attack.
An Israeli security official said the operation targeted four Hamas terrorists who had gathered at the café, all of whom held command positions within the terror organization. The official said the group included one company commander and three platoon commanders.
The strike was carried out after the threat posed by the Hamas commanders was assessed by the IDF as immediate. The military said the operatives had been preparing attacks against Israeli forces currently deployed inside Gaza.
“The terrorists planned to carry out terror attacks against IDF forces operating in the Gaza Strip. The terrorists were struck from the air in order to remove the threat to the forces,” the IDF said.
Palestinian reports claimed the impact of the strike at the café was particularly powerful and that some of those killed were thrown into the sea by the blast. Israeli authorities have not confirmed those claims.
The IDF stressed that Southern Command forces remain deployed throughout Gaza in accordance with the existing agreement and will continue taking action against immediate threats to Israeli soldiers.
Defense Minister Yisrael Katz said the operation reflected Israel’s standing policy in Gaza, as established by Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu and himself.
“Israel’s policy in Gaza, as clarified to the IDF by Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu and by me, is clear: We remove threats, eliminate terrorists, and settle accounts with anyone who took part in the October 7 massacre,” Katz said.
“That is how the IDF acted today in eliminating the Hamas terrorists, and that is how it will continue to act with force to protect our soldiers and ensure quiet for the communities of the south — from within the security zone.”
{Matzav.com}
