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Israeli special forces reportedly tried carried out a covert operation in Khan Younis in southern Gaza, killing a senior Hamas member while dozens of airstrikes pounded the area, according to media reports.
Israeli special forces conducted a covert operation in southern Gaza's Khan Younis early Monday, killing Ahmad Sarhan, a senior commander in the Popular Resistance Committees' military wing, according to Palestinian media reports.
The operation reportedly involved Israeli troops disguised as displaced Gazan women. Lebanese Al-Mayadeen network, reported that an Israeli force disguised as women attempted to arrest a senior official of the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC) in northern Khan Younis. According to the report, the senior official was killed.
During the 40-minute operation, which included over 30 airstrikes and artillery bombardments, Israeli forces also apprehended Sarhan's wife and children, Palestinian sources said.
The Israeli military responded to reports with a brief statement: "The Israeli army is in the midst of Operation Gideon's Chariots and is operating in all areas of the Gaza Strip. Following the reports, there is no change to the situational assessment."
Initial reports from Saudi news outlet Al-Arabiya claimed the operation aimed to rescue Israeli hostages held in Gaza, but these claims were later disputed by Israeli Channel 12, which indicated Israeli special forces entered Khan Younis for a different reason.
Lebanese network Al-Mayadeen reported that "an Israeli force disguised as women tried to reach Israeli hostages. The force failed to achieve its goal of rescuing hostages, and instead killed a Palestinian and abducted his wife and children."
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Palestinian media published images allegedly showing equipment used by Israeli special forces during the operation.
The photos display what appears to be a wagon typically used by displaced Gazans to transport belongings, but with a hidden hollow compartment that could conceal troops or equipment.
Palestinian sources reported at least six fatalities from the Khan Younis strikes, with dozens more injured. Al-Jazeera reported an additional 11 Palestinians killed in other attacks across Gaza on Monday morning, including five deaths from an airstrike near the Jabalia refugee camp in northern Gaza.
The operation occurred amid Israel's expanded ground offensive in Gaza, dubbed "Operation Gideon's Chariots," which was announced Sunday by the Israeli military spokesperson. Currently, five divisions are participating in the ground operation, which follows a week of intensive bombardment targeting what Israel describes as terrorist infrastructure.
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