Jerusalem, Jan 15 (UNI) The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Sunday that more than 9,000 members of hostile forces were killed in the Gaza Strip during 100 days of armed conflict against Hamas.
Israeli forces also eliminated two brigade commanders, 19 battalion commanders and more than 50 company commanders of Hamas, a statement read. In total, the Israeli army struck about 30,000 targets in the enclave.
At the same time, the Israeli military, as part of the escalation of the conflict with Lebanese movement Hezbollah in southern Lebanon, killed about 170 “terrorists” and struck about 750 targets, the statement added.
In the West Bank, the IDF has conducted more than 40 counterterrorism operations since October 7, resulting in the arrest of more than 2,650 wanted Palestinians, of whom 1,300 “are Hamas operatives.” The statement said that 14 “terrorists’ residences have been demolished.”
On October 7, 2023, Palestinian movement Hamas launched a large-scale rocket attack against Israel from the Gaza Strip, while its fighters breached the border, opening fire on the military and civilians. As a result, over 1,200 people in Israel were killed and some 240 others abducted. Israel launched retaliatory strikes, ordered a complete blockade of Gaza and launched a ground incursion into the Palestinian enclave with the declared goal of eliminating Hamas fighters and rescuing the hostages. Over 23,800 people have been killed so far in Gaza as a result of Israeli strikes, local authorities said.
On November 24, Qatar mediated a deal between Israel and Hamas on a temporary truce and the exchange of some of the prisoners and hostages, as well as the delivery of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. The ceasefire was extended several times and expired on December 1.