Daijiworld Media Network - Tel Aviv
Tel Aviv, Jul 3: The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) confirmed the elimination of a terrorist cell responsible for rocket attacks on the southern Israeli towns of Sderot and Ibim, intensifying its broader military campaign across the Gaza Strip aimed at dismantling militant networks and infrastructure.
The airstrike, carried out just minutes after the rockets were launched, was guided by real-time intelligence from the 401st Brigade’s fire control center. The IDF reported that the successful operation targeted and neutralized the cell with precision.
"IDF forces under the Southern Command continue to operate, guided by Military Intelligence and the Shin Bet, against terrorist organisations throughout the Gaza Strip," the military said in a post on social platform X.
Ongoing operations are being led by the 162nd Division in northern Gaza, where combat teams are engaged in targeted strikes against weapons depots, tunnel networks, and militant strongholds. The Nahal Brigade has also launched a fresh offensive in the area, reportedly destroying dozens of sites and killing several armed operatives, including one spotted advancing toward Israeli positions.
In separate operations in Khan Younis, IDF troops discovered a hidden weapons cache containing rifles, pistols, magazines, and mortar rounds. Meanwhile, in the southern city of Rafah and the western Negev border region, the Gaza Division has been conducting simultaneous defensive and offensive maneuvers. These included the destruction of multiple militant compounds and supply stockpiles.
According to the IDF, over the last 24 hours alone, the Israeli Air Force struck approximately 150 targets across Gaza. These included underground tunnels, sniper nests, weapons stores, and suspected militant operatives.
As the operation continues, Israel reiterated its commitment to neutralising all terror threats emanating from the Gaza Strip, stating that its military efforts are focused on ensuring the safety of its southern communities while systematically dismantling the operational capabilities of armed groups in the enclave.