IDF Reports the Elimination of Three Militants in Gaza Region
Click to start listening
Jerusalem, Jan 11 (NationPress) The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced in a statement on Saturday that they have eliminated three militants in the northern Gaza Strip.
These militants were neutralized while trying to fire upon the IDF's Givati infantry brigade troops in the city of Jabalia.
"Using a reconnaissance drone, the soldiers detected the three terrorists who were approaching and concealed in a nearby building," the statement detailed. "The terrorists subsequently attempted to assault the soldiers using a shaft located inside the structure."
The IDF also shared video evidence showing an armed militant present within the structure.
According to the IDF, two of the militants who were hiding were shot down, while the third was eliminated in a targeted operation by Givati soldiers.
On the same day, a rocket was launched from southern Gaza towards the Israeli kibbutz of Kerem Shalom. The Israeli air defense system successfully intercepted it, resulting in no reported casualties, as stated by Xinhua news agency.
Earlier, a spokesperson from the White House mentioned on Friday that a deal to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza could be achieved before January 20, the inauguration day of US President-elect Donald Trump, who will take office after current President Joe Biden.
John Kirby, the coordinator for strategic communications at the National Security Council, informed reporters during a press briefing that he could not provide a specific percentage reflecting the likelihood of such a deal being finalized, which would facilitate the release of 100 hostages, including seven Americans.
"The question is, do I believe it’s possible?" Kirby stated. "Yes, we think it’s possible, but not without significant effort still to come."
Biden's envoy to the Middle East, Brett McGurk, is currently heading a US delegation in Doha, Qatar, in what represents the administration's urgent attempt to secure the hostage agreement, Kirby reported.
Steve Witkoff, Trump’s envoy to the Middle East, is also part of the negotiating delegation. "I am genuinely hopeful that by the time of the inauguration, we will have positive news to share on behalf of the president," Witkoff remarked during a press conference at Mar-a-Lago on Tuesday.
