TEL AVIV — The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) launched a powerful retaliatory operation against Hamas overnight after the terror group violated the ceasefire agreement by attacking Israeli soldiers along the Gaza border.

According to an official IDF statement, Israeli aircraft and artillery struck dozens of Hamas targets throughout the Gaza Strip, including senior leadership, weapons sites, and underground terror infrastructure. The strikes specifically targeted operatives responsible for past and recent attacks against Israeli civilians and soldiers.

Among those eliminated were senior members of Hamas’ elite Nukhba forces — the same units behind the brutal October 7 massacre. Confirmed neutralizations include Muhammad Isa, a Nukhba platoon commander; Fawwaz Uwayda, a Nukhba cell commander; and Hatem Maher Mousa Qudra, a Nukhba company commander. Two additional Mujahideen Brigade operatives, Muhammad Abu Shari’a and Nidal Abu Shari’a, were also killed in precision strikes.

The IDF said its strikes targeted:
• Three battalion commanders, two deputies, and sixteen company commanders
• Observation and command posts
• Weapons manufacturing facilities
• Rocket and mortar launch positions
• Underground tunnels and logistical routes

“These operations were necessary and proportional,” an IDF spokesperson stated. “Hamas violated the ceasefire, and Israel reserves the right to defend its citizens and restore security.”

Initial reports indicate multiple secondary explosions at weapons sites, confirming the destruction of Hamas’ military stockpiles. The IDF emphasized that the strikes were conducted with intelligence-based precision to minimize civilian harm while ensuring operational effectiveness.

The escalation underscores the fragility of the current ceasefire arrangement and highlights Israel’s ongoing commitment to deterrence through strength. Analysts note that by targeting Hamas’ leadership and infrastructure, Israel aims to prevent future attacks and reestablish deterrence in Gaza.