Israeli Army Announces End of Three-Week Operation in Southern Gaza: Six Kilometers of Tunnels Destroyed; 250 Militants Killed

The Israeli army announced on Friday the end of its three-week operation in southern Gaza, reporting the killing of over 250 militants, the destruction of six kilometers of tunnels, and the return of the bodies of six hostages killed during the operation. According to the statement, Israeli soldiers killed Palestinian militants in some tunnels and found weapons at the hiding places of Hamas operatives. The Israeli army added that Hamas's infrastructure on the ground was also destroyed during this operation. The six deceased hostages whose bodies were returned to Israel are Alex Danzig, 75, Yoram Metzger, 80, Ya'akov Buchtab, 35, Chaim Perry, 79, Abraham Mender, 78, and Nadav Papoul, 51. The Israeli army also announced the killing of Wassem Hazem, a Hamas commander in Jenin, during an anti-terror operation in northern West Bank. Hazem was responsible for shootings, bombings, and 'terrorist' activities in the West Bank. The Israeli army's account on social media announced that two other Hamas members attempting to escape were targeted by an Israeli airstrike. Clashes between Israel and Hamas and Islamic Jihad militants have intensified in recent weeks, with Israel warning about arms smuggling by Hamas and the Iranian government to the region. The Israeli army, in cooperation with Shin Bet and the gendarmerie, has targeted three Hamas and Islamic Jihad terrorist centers since Tuesday. During this period, 20 Palestinian militants were killed, and 17 suspects involved in terrorist activities were arrested. Hamas, during its terrorist attack on October 7, killed 1,200 individuals, mostly civilians, and abducted over 250 others, including women, children, and the elderly, to Gaza. In response to this terrorist attack, the Israeli army launched an offensive against Gaza aimed at destroying Hamas and retrieving the hostages. It is believed that 103 hostages are still held captive by Hamas in Gaza. Hamas claims that over 40,000 Palestinians have been killed during the Israeli military operations in Gaza. The Persian section of Voice of America has no means to verify or confirm Hamas's claims. In contrast, Israel states that it has killed 1,000 Palestinian militants during operations inside its territory immediately following the October 7 terrorist attack and another 17,000 militants during its nearly 11-month offensive in Gaza. Hamas is listed as a terrorist organization by the United States, the European Union, the United Kingdom, Israel, Canada, Japan, and several other countries. The Israeli army continues operations in the West Bank; Britain warns of serious instability. Israeli fighter jets attacked several Hezbollah launchers in southern Lebanon. Israel claims Hamas has forged poll results to portray itself and its leaders favorably. The Israeli army continues operations in the West Bank; one Islamic Jihad commander and four Palestinian militants were killed. The U.S. sanctioned an Israeli NGO and a settler official for 'violence in the West Bank.' Four militants were killed in an Israeli drone strike on a vehicle at the Syrian-Lebanese border. David Cohen stated that the fate of ceasefire negotiations in Gaza rests with the leader of Hamas. Israeli tanks advance in Khan Younis amid extensive operations in the West Bank, where at least nine Palestinians have been killed.