Israel Claims to Have Arrested Over 100 Hamas Operatives in Gaza

The Shin Bet security agency and the Israeli army stated in a joint announcement that they have arrested over 100 Hamas operatives in Gaza in recent days and taken them to Israel for interrogation. The Times of Israel reports that those arrested include members of Hamas's 'elite' forces who, according to Israel, participated in the group's attack on southern Israel on October 7. The statement mentions that among the arrested are members of Hamas's 'elite' forces, missile units, snipers, explosives experts, and logistics officers, and during interrogations, they provided information about the locations of Hamas tunnels and weapon depots. Shin Bet and the Israeli army say that the detainees also provided information about Hamas's operational methods. The joint statement from Shin Bet and the Israeli army indicates that the interrogation information will be used by Israeli forces. In the deadly border attack on southern Israel on October 7, Hamas took about 240 hostages and killed approximately 1,200 people. The attack prompted a military response from Israel, which aims to eliminate the presence of this Iran-backed group in Gaza. The U.S., the European Union, and Japan have designated the Iran-backed militant group Hamas as a terrorist organization. An American official stated: 'We are closer to an agreement for the release of Hamas hostages.' France is sending more medical supplies to Gaza. The abduction of a 'British ship' by the Houthis has led Israel to hold the Islamic Republic responsible. Herzog stated: 'Israel is fighting on behalf of the civilized world.'