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

The Israeli Air Force targeted and killed four Hamas commanders, including a platoon leader and three squad commanders, 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 Gaza. Palestinian sources reported six fatalities and several injuries in the strike, marking one of the deadliest recent attacks in the area.

Meanwhile, military delegations from Uganda and Burundi conducted a reconnaissance tour in Rafah, southern Gaza, assessing the possibility of joining a multinational stabilization force. Although no final approval has been given, security officials indicated both countries showed willingness to contribute 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 stated that the IDF will continue such operations vigorously to protect soldiers and maintain calm in southern communities within the 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 sources predict no progress on a Gaza agreement until after the upcoming elections, citing the current political climate as a barrier to any significant moves in the region.