The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported on its Telegram channel that during an operation in the Al-Shati refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip, it discovered and destroyed weapons intended for the naval forces of the Palestinian Hamas movement.
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“During the capture of Camp Al-Shati, IDF troops discovered and destroyed a weapons cache for the Hamas navy that contained diving equipment, explosives and weapons,” the army said in a statement.
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In addition, the IDF said it found belts and barrels of explosives, RPG-type grenade launchers, anti-tank missiles, as well as communications equipment and intelligence documents.
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On October 7, Israel was subjected to an unprecedented-scale rocket attack from the Gaza Strip as part of Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, announced by the military wing of the Palestinian Hamas movement. After this, the organization’s fighters entered the border areas in southern Israel, where they opened fire on both military and civilians, and also took more than 200 hostages. In Israel, according to the latest data from the authorities, about 1.2 thousand people were killed, this number includes civilians, soldiers, foreign citizens and workers, and it was also reported that more than 5 thousand were injured.
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In response, the Israel Defense Forces launched Operation Iron Swords against Hamas in the Gaza Strip. Within a few days, the Israeli military took control of all populated areas near the border with Gaza and began carrying out air strikes on targets, including civilians, in the strip. Israel also announced a complete blockade of the Gaza Strip: the supply of water, food, electricity, medicine, and fuel was stopped.
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At the end of October, the ground phase of the Israeli operation in the enclave began. Gaza City was surrounded by Israeli ground forces, and the enclave was effectively divided into southern and northern parts.
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The death toll in Israeli strikes on the Gaza Strip exceeded 11.5 thousand people, and more than 29 thousand people were injured. According to various sources, about 150 Israelis may be held captive by Hamas. The movement itself stated that there are about 200-250 prisoners in the Gaza Strip.
