Israel Strikes Gaza, Defense Minister Announces Hamas Terrorist Arrest

More than 18 Israeli airstrikes hit western Gaza City on Tuesday, with Palestinian reports indicating four people were killed and several others injured. Israeli military aircraft were observed flying at low altitudes over the area. According to Palestinian sources, the strikes were a response to an attempted abduction of a prominent Hamas figure by a local militia collaborating with Israel. This attempt reportedly led to an exchange of fire, prompting Israeli air intervention.

The IDF stated that multiple targets in Gaza were attacked to neutralize threats to security forces, confirming no Israeli casualties. Defense Minister Israel Katz, speaking from Nativ HaAsara, revealed that a senior Hamas terrorist had been apprehended. "Our policy is not to wait for threats, but to pursue Hamas terrorists, thwart them, and destroy their terror infrastructure," Katz declared, emphasizing ongoing operations in Gaza.

Katz further detailed Israel's strategy in Gaza, describing the establishment of a "strong and unprecedented security zone" to protect residents and soldiers. He stated that approximately 70% of the Gaza Strip has been cleared of residents, tunnels, and homes, with the IDF controlling the territory. "We will not move from Gaza until the Strip is demilitarized, Hamas is disarmed, and all terror tunnels are destroyed," he asserted.

He added that the IDF would maintain defensive lines in Gaza post-demilitarization to ensure the security of western Negev communities. Katz warned that any attempt to bypass the security zone via aerial launches would be met with a severe response. He also threatened that for every Israeli child harmed, the heads of Hamas leadership in Gaza would be targeted, equating the threat from balloons, kites, and drones, regardless of payload, to direct attacks.

Katz outlined a policy of immediate and forceful retaliation for any projectile launched from Gaza, including the elimination of those responsible and the evacuation of entire neighborhoods from which launches originate. He concluded by stating that Israel's response, not the enemy's actions, would be the true test, and that Israel's policy of "security at any cost" would be borne entirely by the enemy.