The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Tuesday that it has killed approximately 40 militants in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, through close-quarters combat and airstrikes, APA reports.
IDF troops are continuing targeted operations in the Tel al-Sultan area of Rafah, the IDF said, noting that in one of the operations, its troops identified a "terrorist cell" armed with a rocket-propelled grenade within a military structure, which was subsequently struck by the Israeli Air Force (IAF).
An IAF strike also targeted two militants who emerged from a terror tunnel and attempted to plant an explosive device near ground troops, killing them in the process, according to the IDF.
The offensive is part of Israel's large-scale operation against Hamas, launched in response to a Hamas attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, which resulted in around 1,200 deaths and approximately 250 hostages.
According to Gaza-based health authorities, the Israeli military has killed 34 people and wounded 114 others in the last 24 hours. This brings the total death toll in the Gaza Strip to 40,173, with 92,857 injured since the conflict began.