Israel Strikes 40 Terror Targets Across Gaza Overnight

Jerusalem, 16 July, 2024 (TPS) -- Over the past day, Israeli aircraft struck approximately 40 Hamas targets across the Gaza Strip, the Israel Defense Forces said on Tuesday morning.

Targets included buildings rigged with explosives, sniping posts, observation posts, military structures and other terror infrastructure.

In the southern Gaza area of Rafah, troops continued targeted, intelligence-based operational activity. Over the past day, the troops eliminated terrorists in cooperation with the Air Force, dismantled tunnel shafts in the area, and struck Hamas sites that posed a threat to the soldiers.

Targeted raids also continued against Hamas targets in central Gaza.

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.

Meanwhile in southern Lebanon, the Air Force struck Hezbollah targets in the areas of Houla, Kfarkela, and Bani Haiyyan overnight. Israeli artillery also struck the areas of Blida, Deir Mimas, and Rmeish to remove threats.

Earlier in the evening, Hezbollah launched 10 projectiles at the area of the northern Israeli city of Kiryat Shmona. All were intercepted and no injuries were reported.

Around 60,000 Israelis living in northern communities were forced to evacuate in October when the Hezbollah terror organization began daily rocket and drone attacks. Leaders of the Iran-backed terror group have said they will continue the attacks to prevent Israelis from returning to their homes. Hezbollah attacks have killed 12 civilians and 16 soldiers.

Israeli officials have been calling for Hezbollah to be disarmed and removed from Southern Lebanon in accordance with UN Security Council resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 Second Lebanon War.