Gaza (QNN)- An Israeli special forces unit infiltrated Gaza City in broad daylight, sneaking into an area surrounded by displacement camps and a hospital in an apparent assassination or abduction attempt. The unit was immediately confronted by Palestinian resistance fighters, prompting the Israeli military to carry out around 13 attacks to protect and extract the special forces.
Israel’s military said it attacked several targets in the Gaza Strip area “with the aim of removing threats”.
Two vehicles have been struck by drone missiles, it said in a statement.
“The American field hospital has been ordered to evacuate due to the ongoing strikes. The incident is still unfolding and the situation remains highly volatile,” the army said.
What Happened?
At around 10:50 a.m. local time, Palestinians discovered an Israeli special forces unit in the Al-Katiba area, west of Gaza City. The unit was reportedly on motorcycles.
The unit was immediately confronted by Palestinian resistance fighters, prompting the Israeli military to launch a series of attacks on the area in an apparent attempt to protect and extract its forces.
Local and official sources reported that the Israeli military carried out at least 13 air raids on the area.
For approximately 35 minutes, the area came under continuous Israeli attacks involving drones, with three reportedly flying at an extremely low altitude.
The operation took place in one of the most densely populated areas of western Gaza City, where many displaced Palestinians have set up tents along sidewalks and inside displacement camps. The area also contains a field hospital and a preschool, both of which were evacuated during the attack. People were present in the surrounding area as the attacks took place.
Security personnel on the ground told Quds News Network (QNN) that they discovered an Israeli special forces unit, which subsequently engaged in a direct exchange of fire with Palestinian fighters. They said the Israeli military provided extensive aerial cover in an apparent effort to protect and evacuate the unit.
The infiltration took place near the American Hospital and a UN shelter in the Al-Katiba area.
Reports indicated that a colonel serving in the Internal Security Forces was the target of the attack.
The director of Al-Shifa Hospital said that three Palestinians, including two children and a woman, were killed and eight others injured in the Israeli strikes on the Al-Katiba area.
Al-Majd Security reported that an Israeli special forces unit had attempted to carry out an operation in Gaza targeting a resistance figure, but that heightened vigilance by resistance security personnel and other security agencies foiled the mission and prevented it from achieving its objectives.
A source told Quds News Network that the special forces unit involved in the operation was a joint force comprising Israeli military personnel and Israeli-armed militias.
Gaza Government Media Office Director-General Ismail Al-Thawabta confirmed that an Israeli special forces operation had taken place and said that several members of the unit were killed while attempting to carry out the mission.
