Israeli Forces Target Hamas Weapons Depot in Syria
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Synopsis
Israeli jets targeted a Hamas weapons depot in Syria, marking a significant escalation in the conflict. This strike coincided with the fifth prisoner-for-hostage swap under the Gaza ceasefire agreement, where Israel released Palestinian prisoners in exchange for Israeli hostages held by Hamas.
Key Takeaways
- Israeli jets conducted a strike on a Hamas weapons depot in Syria.
- The facility was aimed at launching attacks against IDF troops.
- The IDF is committed to dismantling Hamas' operational capabilities.
- Israel and Hamas completed a prisoner-for-hostage swap.
- 183 Palestinian prisoners were released in exchange for Israeli hostages.
Jerusalem, Feb 8 (NationPress) Israeli fighter jets executed an intelligence-driven assault on a Hamas arms storage site located in the southern Syrian city of Deir Ali, according to a statement from the Israel Defence Forces (IDF).
The IDF specified that the munitions housed at this location were meant for launching attacks against IDF personnel.
The IDF emphasized its commitment to dismantling Hamas’ capabilities on all fronts and declared it would take action against any efforts by terrorist groups to establish themselves and strengthen their forces.
Earlier in the day, Israel and Hamas finalized the fifth prisoner-for-hostage exchange as part of the initial phase of the ongoing ceasefire agreement in Gaza.
On Saturday, three Israeli captives previously held by Hamas were handed over from central Gaza to the IDF and the Israel Security Agency, successfully crossing into Israel, as noted in an IDF statement.
The three hostages, who were abducted during a Hamas-led offensive in southern Israel on October 7, 2023, include Ohad Ben Ami, 56, a dual citizen of Israel and Germany; Eli Sharabi, 52; and Or Levy, 34.
The office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated that “in partnership with security agencies, the government will assist the released hostages and their families.”
In conjunction with the swap, Israel also released 183 Palestinian detainees from its prisons on Saturday, as per the agreement, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
Abdullah al-Zaghari, head of the Palestinian Prisoners Club, reported that the freed individuals, transported by buses from the International Red Cross, have reached Ramallah.
Among the released detainees, 42 were from the West Bank, three from Jerusalem, and 27 from the Gaza Strip, all of whom were serving life sentences or lengthy prison terms. Additionally, 111 prisoners had been arrested in the Gaza Strip following Hamas' surprise attack in 2023, according to a press release from the Commission of Detainees' Affairs.
Seven of the released prisoners will be deported outside the Palestinian territories, as indicated in the statement.
Effective January 19, the initial 42-day phase of the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, facilitated by Egypt and Qatar with backing from the United States, requires Hamas to release 33 hostages, while Israel will free hundreds of Palestinian detainees.
In the previous four exchanges of prisoners for hostages, 18 hostages have been released from Gaza, along with approximately 600 Palestinian prisoners from Israeli custody.
