More than 12 Israeli strikes were carried out in western Gaza City in northern Gaza amid a ground operation involving an armed force operating against Hamas. The incident began after a force was detected while attempting to capture the head of Hamas’s Internal Security.
Exchanges of fire with Hamas terrorists followed, with Israeli aircraft carrying out extensive strikes to support and extract the exposed force on the ground. The strikes were carried out around the Al-Katiba area and Shati refugee camp, including attacks on 2 vehicles near the Napolitana restaurant. Smoke grenades and heavy gunfire were also involved.
Israel's Defense Minister Israel Katz:
A senior Hamas terrorist was apprehended and this is our policy: we do not wait for threats, but rather pursue Hamas terrorists, thwart them, and destroy their terror infrastructure.
The terrorist detained in the operation is Moein al-Arabid, commander of Hamas’ Internal Security Apparatus. His wife, Umm Mohammad, who was wounded in the operation, died of her injuries.
Given Moain al-Arabid’s role, Israel sought to capture him alive for interrogation rather than kill him in an airstrike, as he could possess extensive intelligence on the security of senior Hamas officials, counterintelligence operations, collaborators, and other sensitive internal networks.
