Israeli Forces Strike Hamas, Hezbollah Targets

Jerusalem, 2 May, 2024 (TPS) -- The Israeli Air Force and artillery struck an operational tunnel shaft and a mortar position from which several launches were detected in central Gaza and Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon during the last day, the Israel Defense Forces said on Thursday morning.

The tunnel shafts and mortar positions hit were located in central Gaza.

Aircraft also destroyed a building, killing a terrorist who had entered it.

The Air Force also eliminated an armed terror squad that posed a threat to nearby ground forces.

Israel reopened the Erez border crossing on Wednesday for the first time since October 7.

It is the only crossing located on Gaza’s northern border. Before the war, it served as the only crossing point for pedestrian traffic, primarily used by diplomats, aid workers, journalists and Palestinians with work or medical permits. Israel paved roads on both sides of the border to enable trucks to deliver humanitarian goods and 30 trucks carrying food and medical supplies already entered the Strip.

In March, Israeli soldiers completed the demolition of the largest tunnel found in Gaza, which led up to the Erez border crossing and was adjacent to Moshav Netiv HaAsara.

Meanwhile, along the northern border, Israeli fighter jets struck Hezbollah military compounds and terror infrastructure in the southern Lebanese areas of Ayta ash Shab, Marwahin and Tayr Harfa on Wednesday evening. The strikes were in response to anti-tank rockets fired in the area of Moshav Shtula in the Upper Galilee. No injuries were reported.

At least 1,200 people were killed and 240 Israelis and foreigners were taken hostage in Hamas’s attacks on Israeli communities near the Gaza border on October 7. Around 30 of the remaining 133 hostages are believed dead.