The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) concluded a series of intensive weekend operations across the Gaza Strip, successfully targeting over 130 Hamas positions and significantly degrading the militant group’s operational capabilities. These widespread IDF operations underscore a strategic commitment to enhancing Gaza security and dismantling terrorist strongholds within the enclave.

Across northern, central, and southern Gaza, IDF ground and air units executed precision strikes against a multitude of Hamas infrastructure sites. These targets included command centers, weapons manufacturing facilities, rocket launchers, and various strategic points used by the organization to orchestrate attacks against Israeli civilians and soldiers.

A pivotal moment in the weekend’s engagements was the precise airstrike on July 24, 2025, in the central Gaza Strip, which resulted in the elimination of Salah al-Din Za‘atra. Identified as the deputy commander of Hamas’s notorious al-Furqan Battalion, Za‘atra’s death marks a substantial blow to the militant group’s leadership.

Military officials confirmed that Za‘atra played a critical role in supervising combat-support operations and was instrumental in planning numerous aggressive actions aimed at both Israeli civilians and military personnel. His removal directly impacts Hamas’s ability to coordinate future offensive maneuvers within the ongoing Gaza conflict.

Further intensifying the counter-terrorism efforts, reconnaissance teams from the IDF’s 401st Brigade, part of the 162nd Division, played a crucial role. Operating a few kilometers north of the main engagement zone, these teams accurately identified four Hamas fighters advancing towards IDF lines.

Acting on real-time military intelligence, the reconnaissance teams swiftly directed an aircraft to the location, resulting in a precise strike that neutralized the combatants moments after their detection. This rapid response exemplifies the seamless coordination between intelligence gathering and operational execution.

The entirety of these weekend IDF operations were meticulously planned and executed based on highly accurate real-time intelligence provided by the elite IDF Intelligence Directorate and the Israel Security Agency (Shin Bet). This intelligence-driven approach is paramount in distinguishing legitimate targets and minimizing collateral damage in complex urban environments.

These focused military actions signify an ongoing commitment to degrade Hamas’s capabilities and reinforce stability in the region. The successful weekend operations represent a significant step in the broader Gaza security strategy, continuously adapting to evolving threats and ensuring the safety of Israeli citizens near the Gaza Strip.