Israel begins ground operation in Hamas stronghold of Rafah, expands activities in Gaza

close Video

Footage shows IDF deployed to central Gaza

Israel deployed troops to central Gaza for the first time since the collapse of a ceasefire with Hamas.

Israeli forces began military ground operations in Gaza, particularly the Hamas stronghold of Rafah in an effort to degrade the terror group’s infrastructure, authorities said Thursday. 

The Israel Defense Forces said a ground operation was taking place in the “Shavura” neighborhood, as well as parts of central and northern Gaza. 

ISRAEL SHOOTS DOWN HOUTHI BALLISTIC MISSILE AFTER CEASEFIRE COLLAPSES

IDF troops re-enter the Gaza Strip following the collapse of the ceasefire.  (IDF)

“In recent hours, IDF forces began a ground operation in the area of ​​the ‘Shavura’ neighborhood in Rafah,” the IDF wrote on X. “As part of the operation, the forces destroyed several terrorist infrastructures.”

In recent months, Hamas terrorists exploited a site in northern Gaza, which previously served as the “Turkish” hospital, as a command and control center, from which they directed and carried out terrorist attacks against IDF troops and Israel.

In response, IDF troops operated to dismantle the terrorist infrastructure at the site.

Furthermore, over the past few hours, the Israeli air force has continued to target and dismantle terrorists and terrorist infrastructure throughout Gaza.

REMAINS OF SHIRI BIBAS, MOM OF TWO KILLED, ALLEGEDLY RETURNED TO ISRAEL FOLLOWING HAMAS’ BROKEN PROMISE

The IDF announced its troops are now operating in Rafah. Its troops are continuing ground activity in northern and central Gaza. (IDF)

Israel resumed military operations against Hamas this week following a short-lived ceasefire after it said the terror group repeatedly rebuffed offers to release the remaining hostages it took on Oct. 7, 2023. 

The IDF also struck a military site containing an underground terrorist infrastructure site in the Beqaa area in Lebanon, as well as another site with rocket launchers in southern Lebanon where Hezbollah terrorists actively operate. 

On Thursday night, siens blared across a number of areas following a projectile launched from Yemen, the IDF said. 

Sen. John Fetterman, who visited Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu this week, posted a video on X as the sirens went off. 

NETANYAHU GIFTS FETTER A SILVER-PLATED BEEPER AFTER HE PRAISED ISRAEL’S LEBANON PAGER OPERATION

An IDF soldier in the Gaza area.  (IDF)

“Incoming rocket sirens sounding off in Israel,” he wrote. “Imagine living under these conditions. Imagine being the Members of Congress voting against what protects Israel from this.”

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

A holy site for Christians, Muslims and Jews also came under fire from Yemen-based, Iran-backed Houthi rebels, who have attached commercial shipping in the Red Sea and U.S. naval forces in solidarity with Hamas, the IDF said. 

Authorities also announced the deaths of Hamas senior leaders and another from the Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror group. 

Louis Casiano is a reporter for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to louis.casiano@fox.com.