Israeli military officials confirmed Thursday that troops from the Israel Defense Forces’ 2nd Brigade have completed their sixth operational rotation along the so-called Yellow Line in northern Gaza and have withdrawn from the area. The brigade has been replaced by forces from the IDF’s 16th Brigade as part of an ongoing rotational deployment.

According to the IDF, the 2nd Brigade operated under the 252nd Division for several months, conducting intensive security operations aimed at neutralizing Hamas threats near the buffer zone. During the deployment, Israeli forces killed dozens of Hamas operatives and seized large quantities of weapons and military equipment.

The military said troops located and neutralized explosive devices, mortars, shells, mines, rocket launchers, and rockets intended for attacks against Israeli territory. In addition, soldiers dismantled hundreds of Hamas infrastructure sites, including multiple tunnel shafts connected to underground routes used for movement, storage, and attack planning.

IDF officials emphasized that these operations were designed to degrade Hamas’ operational capabilities and prevent future attacks on Israeli communities. The destruction of tunnel networks and weapons stockpiles was described as a key component of restoring deterrence and maintaining long-term security.

The IDF stated that forces under the Southern Command remain deployed in northern Gaza in accordance with the ceasefire agreement and will continue to act against immediate security threats as necessary. Military leadership stressed that rotational deployments ensure operational readiness while sustaining pressure on terrorist infrastructure.

Israel continues to maintain a strong defensive posture along the Gaza perimeter, signaling that any attempt by Hamas or affiliated groups to rebuild military capabilities will be met with decisive action.