Israeli forces advance in Gaza, capture terror suspects in Deir al-Balah

Most were released after on-site questioning and evacuated in coordination with international organizations.

By Ehud Amiton, TPS

Israeli soldiers in Gaza continued pressing Hamas in Gaza, raiding terror positions and detaining terror suspects, the Israel Defense Forces said on Tuesday.

In the southern Gaza area of Khan Yunis, soldiers eliminated terrorists and destroyed Hamas infrastructure. At one location overnight, soldiers seized grenades, explosive charges, mortars, and tactical radios.

Forces also killed terrorists and attacked Hamas positions in the northern Gaza areas of Shejaya, Zeitoun, Beit Hanoun and Daraj Tuffah. Targets included booby-trapped buildings, anti-tank launch sites, combat tunnels and other Hamas infrastructure.

Israeli soldiers in the central Gaza area of Deir al-Balah detained several individuals suspected of involvement in terror activity.

Most were released after on-site questioning and evacuated in coordination with international organizations. The ground operations in Deir al-Balah are Israel’s first since the war began.

The raids followed warnings to Palestinian civilians to evacuate the area.

The IDF emphasized that all the suspects are treated in accordance with international law. Some individuals were temporarily required to remove articles of clothing during searches to ensure they were not concealing explosives or weapons.

“These operations are carried out with the aim of enabling the relocation of essential institutions to safer areas, based on needs presented by the organizations,” the army said.

At least 1,180 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 50 remaining hostages, around 30 are believed to be dead.