Airstrike Kills Palestinian Islamic Jihad Sniper Commander

Jerusalem, 18 June, 2024 (TPS) -- The Israeli military killed a Palestinian Islamic Jihad sniper commander in an airstrike in central Gaza as forces continued operations against Hamas across Gaza, the Israel Defense Forces said on Tuesday.

In central Gaza, a fighter jet directed by ground forces eliminated the commander of an Islamic Jihad sniper squad. Additionally, the troops identified and eliminated a terror squad approaching their position.

In the Rafah area of southern Gaza, troops killed numerous Hamas terrorists in close-quarters combat. In one encounter, ground forces directed an airstrike on two terrorists armed with an explosive device.

During searches in the area, soldiers located weapons, including AK-47s and grenades.

Israeli Naval forces targeted multiple terror Hamas targets in the Rafah area in support of the soldiers.

Since the Israel began military operations in Rafah, the IDF has uncovered more than 120 tunnel openings and around 25 tunnel tracks.

At least 1,200 people were killed, and 252 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage in Hamas’s attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7. Of the 116 remaining hostages, more than 30 are believed dead.