Israeli Air Force Kills Four Hamas Commanders in Shati Camp; African Troops Scout Gaza for Multinational Force

The Israeli Air Force targeted and killed four Hamas commanders, including a platoon leader and three squad leaders, at the Shati refugee camp port in northern Gaza on August 18. According to the IDF, the militants were meeting to plan attacks against Israeli forces operating inside the Gaza Strip. Palestinian sources reported six fatalities and several injuries in the strike, marking one of the deadliest recent attacks in Gaza.

Meanwhile, military delegations from Uganda and Burundi conducted a reconnaissance tour in Rafah, southern Gaza, to evaluate their potential participation in a multinational stabilization force. Although no final approval has been given, security officials indicated both countries showed willingness to contribute hundreds of troops to the mission.

Defense Minister Israel Katz emphasized Israel's clear policy in Gaza: eliminating threats, targeting terrorists, and retaliating against those involved in the October 7 massacre. He affirmed that the IDF will continue such operations to protect soldiers and maintain security in southern communities within the designated security zone.

These developments come amid ongoing diplomatic efforts, including a recent meeting between Jared Kushner and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and pressure from the U.S. and the peace council. However, Israeli security assessments predict no progress on a Gaza agreement until after the upcoming elections, citing the political climate as a barrier to any dramatic moves in the territory.