Israeli Special Forces Conduct Covert Operation in Gaza
On Monday morning, Israeli commando units executed a covert operation in southern Gaza, leading to the death of Ahmad Sarhan, a senior leader of the Nasser Salahuddin Brigades, the military wing of the Popular Resistance Committees (PRC). The incident took place in Khan Younis and sparked heavy confrontations between the two forces, according to reports from Palestinian media sources.
During the operation, it is reported that Sarhan’s family was taken by Israeli forces. The PRC is categorized as the third-largest armed entity in Gaza, following Hamas and Islamic Jihad, highlighting its significance within the ongoing conflicts.
Israeli operatives disguised themselves as displaced civilians, utilizing trucks filled with mattresses and food as part of their cover. Some soldiers, appearing as women, concealed themselves within these vehicles to minimize detection while approaching Sarhan’s suspected hideout. When their identity was compromised, intense clashes erupted, resulting in Sarhan’s death during a firefight. Subsequently, Israeli warplanes provided air support to facilitate the unit’s withdrawal.
According to early reports, the operation was intended to capture Sarhan, who was implicated in the abduction of captives; however, he was ultimately killed. His body was later processed at Nasser Hospital, where mourners from his brigade paid their respects.
While Israel’s military described the event as part of an ongoing strategic campaign, known as Operation Gideon’s Chariots, they did not explicitly confirm the mission’s objective. Initial assertions suggested that the operation aimed to locate hostages, a claim that the military denied without further clarification.
Escalation in Khan Younis
The military also ordered an immediate evacuation of Khan Younis, Gaza’s second-largest urban area, anticipating a significant escalation of military actions. Following this directive, the city has witnessed a dramatic increase in bombardments.
Humanitarian Concerns Amid Conflict
Despite ongoing hostilities, Israel asserts that 24 captives, including individuals from Thailand and Nepal, remain alive in Gaza. International efforts to broker a ceasefire have so far been unsuccessful amid a deteriorating humanitarian situation.
On the same day, some humanitarian aid trucks managed to enter Gaza for the first time in two months, though the United Nations has warned that assistance levels remain critically inadequate in light of the mounting humanitarian crisis.
Since the conflict escalated on October 7, 2023, over 53,000 Palestinian fatalities have been reported, with numerous individuals still trapped or unaccounted for under debris.
