Israel expands ground ops, claims ... Hamas Naval chief, Head of aerial unit killed
| Date :29-Oct-2023 |
JERUSALEM/TEL AVIV,
Whereas, Abu Rukbeh was responsible for overseeing Hamas’ drones, unmanned aerial vehicles, paragliders, aerial detection systems, and air defences. He played a significant role in planning and executing the October 7 attack by directing terrorists who used paragliders to enter southern Israel and coordinating drone attacks on Israel Defence Forces observation posts. On October 14, the IDF announced the killing of the previous head of Hamas’s aerial forces, Murad Abu Murad. The Israel Defence Forces also identified Sgt Shirel Haim Pour, a 20-year-old from Rishon Lezion, as one of the soldiers killed in the October 7 Hamas attack. Her name was cleared for publication after notifying her family, as reported by The Times of Israel.
Earlier on Saturday, the military had released videos showing columns of armoured vehicles moving slowly in open sandy areas of Gaza, the first visual confirmation of ground troops, and said warplanes bombed dozens of Hamas tunnels and underground bunkers. The move is a further escalation in Israel’s campaign to crush the territory’s ruling militant group after its bloody incursion in southern Israel three weeks ago and a new sign that Israel is moving closer to an all-out invasion of Gaza. Hagari had said ground forces were “expanding their activity” in Gaza and “acting with great force ... To achieve the objectives of the war.” Israel has amassed hundreds of thousands of troops along the border.
ISRAEL is expanding its ground operation in Gaza with infantry and armoured vehicles backed by “massive” strikes from the air and sea, the Israeli military spokesman said Saturday. Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said that “the forces are still on the ground and are continuing the war.” Previously, troops had conducted brief nightly ground incursions before returning to Israel. The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) on Saturday said it has killed Ratab Abu Tshaiban, the commander of Hamas’ naval forces and the head of Hamas’ aerial unit, Issam Abu Rukbeh within the Gaza City Brigade in a targeted overnight airstrike. This operation came in response to his involvement in planning and leading a Hamas infiltration attempt via the sea on October 24, which was thwarted by Israeli Navy forces. The IDF has also shared footage of the overnight strike on social media platform, X. “The Air Force eliminated Ratab Abu Tshaiban, the commander of the naval force of the Gaza Brigade, at the end of a joint intelligence effort by the Navy, Air Force, Amman and Shin Bet. Tshaiban planned and commanded the naval penetration attempt that took place on October 24 in the area of the Zikim coast by sea,” posted Israeli Air Force on X.