Israel Conducts Operations in Gaza, Lebanon, and West Bank

On September 17, 2026, the 1077th day of the "War of Revival" (also known as the "Iron Swords" war) against terrorist organizations, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reported ongoing operations across multiple fronts. In Gaza, a ceasefire is formally in effect, though the IDF maintains control over a buffer zone covering over 60% of the territory. The IDF stated it attacks terrorists in response to violations and conducts targeted assassinations. On Wednesday, the IDF announced the elimination of two Hamas commanders: Muhammad Jamal Ahmad Id, a "Nukhba" commander involved in the October 7th attack, and Salah Ziyad Ibrahim Makdad, a commander in Hamas's naval forces. The army claims both were recently involved in planning attacks and rebuilding the organization's capabilities.

In the West Bank, IDF soldiers from the "Nahal" brigade, operating under regional commands, continued counter-terrorism operations. Over recent months, forces have inspected over 1,200 sites, interrogated approximately 930 suspects, and apprehended about 230 wanted individuals. Military equipment and weapons, including M16 rifles and ammunition, were seized. Separately, Israeli police special forces, with assistance from the Shin Bet, arrested a "Tanzim" activist in Balata, east of Nablus, on September 16th. The suspect, who resisted arrest and was shot in the legs, was handed over to the Shin Bet.

In Lebanon, IDF artillery struck a target in the Kfar Tibnit area in southern Lebanon. Earlier, IDF forces conducted an explosion in the Zawtar al-Sharqiya area. In the Gaza Strip, sources reported an IDF strike near Khan Yunis killed Muhammad Nasser Suleiman al-Bayouk, though his affiliation was not specified. The IDF also reported the elimination of two Hamas "Nukhba" operatives in northern Gaza, identified as Sharif Shadi Ibrahim Labad and Yusuf Saad ad-Din al-Zaim, claiming they were preparing attacks and rebuilding Hamas's military potential, constituting a systematic violation of the ceasefire.

The article also provides extensive historical context on the "Iron Swords" war, initiated on October 7, 2023, detailing the initial Hamas attack, Israeli casualties, hostage situations, and subsequent military operations in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Iran, and Yemen. It mentions the elimination of key figures like Ismail Haniyeh, Hassan Nasrallah, and Yahya Sinwar, and details the scale of rocket fire and displacement of populations. The report notes differing casualty figures between the Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health and other sources, with a Henry Jackson Society report questioning the reliability of Hamas's data.