The armed wing of Hamas, the Al-Qassam Brigades, announced Saturday that they had killed five Israeli soldiers and wounded others in Rafah.
According to a statement released on Telegram, the Al-Qassam Brigades detonated an improvised explosive device targeting an Israeli army unit after luring them to the vicinity of the “Tabain” mosque in eastern Rafah, southern Gaza Strip.
The explosion resulted in the death of five soldiers and injuries to others.
The Al-Qassam Brigades also declared targeting several Israeli military vehicles with shells and improvised explosive devices during the ongoing battles east of Rafah, southern Gaza Strip.
Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant stated on Thursday that additional forces would “enter Rafah,” pledging to “intensify” operations.
In a statement, he mentioned, “Our military operation in Rafah will continue with the entry of additional forces into the area,” adding, “Our forces have destroyed many tunnels in the area… This activity will be intensified.”
The Al-Qassam Brigades is the military wing of Hamas, a Palestinian Islamist organization that governs the Gaza Strip.
Hamas has been designated as a terrorist organization by several countries, including Israel, the United States, and the European Union.
Rafah, located in the southern Gaza Strip, has been a site of frequent clashes between Palestinian militants and Israeli forces.
The area has seen multiple military incursions and airstrikes as part of Israel’s efforts to counter rocket attacks and infiltration attempts by militant groups.
The use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and ambush tactics by Palestinian militants, particularly in border areas like Rafah, poses significant challenges for Israeli security forces.
These tactics are often employed in response to Israeli military operations and are intended to inflict casualties and disrupt Israeli military activities.
