🎗️ IDF Seals Major Hamas Tunnel in Rafah: The IDF completed sealing a Hamas tunnel complex in southern Rafah where Lt. Hadar Goldin was held after he was killed and abducted during Operation Protective Edge on August 1, 2014. His remains were returned to Israel for burial under the November 2025 hostage return framework.
The three-month operation, led by Southern Command together with the Yahalom Unit and Shayetet 13, used more than 30,000 cubic meters of concrete to seal a tunnel network extending over 16 kilometers. The complex included approximately 80 living quarters and functioned as a Hamas command-and-control center, including for the commander of Hamas's Rafah Brigade.
The IDF said the tunnel passed beneath a residential neighborhood, mosques, kindergartens, clinics, a school, and a UNRWA clinic near the Philadelphi Corridor.
🎯 Senior Hamas and Islamic Jihad Operatives Eliminated: The IDF and the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet) confirmed the elimination of Ismail Masri, Hamas's Head of Military Defense in the Rafah Brigade, in a strike carried out last week.
According to the military, Masri directed military security and counterintelligence activities while working to rebuild Hamas's military capabilities and advance attacks against IDF forces.
Separately, the IDF and Shin Bet announced the elimination of Zaher Brahim Khalil Abu Salem, an Islamic Jihad terrorist who infiltrated Israel during the October 7 massacre, participated in the abduction of Israeli civilians, helped hold hostages, and continued planning attacks against Israeli forces and civilians throughout the war.
💥 Underground Infrastructure Targeted in Central Gaza: The IDF struck three targets within a Hamas underground infrastructure site in Deir al-Balah after determining Hamas had been attempting to restore the facility in violation of the ceasefire agreement.
The military said the operation was intended to dismantle the underground infrastructure and reiterated that Hamas systematically embeds military assets within civilian areas, using the population as human shields.
🇮🇱 IDF Reflects on 1,000 Days of Combat: The IDF held a multi-arena intelligence, operational, and strategic assessment marking 1,000 days of war, attended by Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, senior commanders, and division leadership.
The event included a moment of silence for fallen soldiers, the recorded final radio transmission of Col. Asaf Hamami from October 7, and discussions on operational lessons learned.
Zamir described the conflict as one of the longest and most demanding in Israel's history, saying it has fundamentally reshaped military doctrine, operational concepts, and command experience. He called October 7 "an assault on the very existence of the Jewish people" and emphasized that the IDF must continue learning, adapting, and preparing for future challenges.
He concluded that the military remains committed to deepening its achievements while serving "as a beacon of truth, humility, professionalism, and responsibility."
⚠️ Reservist Seriously Wounded in Southern Lebanon: An IDF reservist from the Commando Brigade was severely wounded in an explosion during operations in the village of Arnoun in southern Lebanon.
The blast occurred at approximately 1:30 p.m. according to the IDF's initial investigation. The soldier was evacuated for medical treatment, his family was notified, and the cause of the explosion remains under investigation.
🛰️ Military Reviewing Cellphone Incident in Southern Syria: The IDF confirmed it is reviewing an incident in which a military cellphone was left behind during operations in southern Syria.
Images published by Syrian media showed a Samsung XCover Pro 6 device bearing Israeli military identification near Tal al-Maghar, close to the border village of Abidin. The IDF said the matter is known and is being handled through the appropriate channels.
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