Israel launches broad strikes against Hamas in Gaza after terrorists open fire at IDF soldiers

After Israeli troops operating on the Israeli-controlled side of the Yellow Line came under fire on Wednesday, the IDF struck several sites in the Gaza Strip, targeting senior Hamas military officials. 

The IDF said the shooting attack on its soldiers “constitutes a violation of the ceasefire agreement.” 

“IDF forces in the Southern Command are deployed in the area and will continue to act to remove any immediate threat. The IDF will continue to act forcefully to remove any threat to the State of Israel.” 

The military also said that no soldiers were injured in the attack, and one terrorist was killed when IDF soldiers returned fire. 

⭕️ Several terrorists opened fire toward IDF soldiers operating in Khan Yunis. This action constitutes a violation of the ceasefire agreement.

In response the IDF began striking terrorist targets across Gaza. https://t.co/JGqE9bu9R5

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) November 19, 2025

According to Palestinian reports, the Israel Air Force struck sites in the Zeitoun and Shejaiya neighborhoods of Gaza City and the Mawasi area in Khan Younis.

The targets of the strikes were reported to be the Gaza Brigade Commander, the Zeitoun Battalion Commander, and the head of Hamas's naval unit. The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry said 25 people were killed in the strikes on Gaza City and Khan Younis. 

On Wednesday night, Walla News reported that Imad al-Salem, commander of the Zeitoun Battalion and deputy commander of Gaza City, had been killed in the strikes. 

Following the Israeli strikes, Hamas accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of trying to “resume the genocide against our people.” 

“We consider this a dangerous escalation through which the war criminal Netanyahu seeks to resume the genocide against our people,” the Hamas statement said. 

A security source told Israeli media that it is highly likely that the targets of the attacks were eliminated. 

The last time Hamas violated the ceasefire in an attempt to kill IDF soldiers came at the end of October. In that attack, terrorists emerged from a tunnel in Rafah and fired on a Nahal force behind the Yellow Line. It killed Master Sergeant (res.) Effie (Yona Ephraim) Feldbaum (37) and led to a severe Israeli response.

After the retaliatory strikes, which were supported by the U.S., the ceasefire was renewed. 

Army Radio said Wednesday that the American command center monitoring the ceasefire was informed of the strikes but without being asked to approve them beforehand.

The fight against Hamas is not limited to Gaza, however. On Wednesday night, the IDF struck a Hamas training compound in Ain al-Hilweh in Sidon, southern Lebanon. Hamas denied the site was a military site, claiming it was a sports field.

In response, IDF Arabic spokesman, Col. Avichai Adraee, published an invitation sent to Hamas operatives, instructing them to come to the site. Adraee said the site was used as a recruitment and training compound. Lebanese reports said that 13 people were killed in the strike. 

#خاص الدعوة التي تفضح اكاذيب حماس وبعض الجهات اللبنانية!

🔸هل نسيتم الإرهاب الفلسطيني الذي هزّ سيادة لبنان لسنوات وأشعل حروبًا دامية على أرضه؟ اليوم يتكرّر المشهد نفسه من داخل مخيم #عين_الحلوة الذي بات ثغرة تضرب سيادة الدولة.

🔸لقد استهدفنا مساء امس بدقة مجمّع تدريب وتأهيل… pic.twitter.com/RcKH4GTJBh

— افيخاي ادرعي (@AvichayAdraee) November 19, 2025

These developments come  as Hamas has reiterated its opposition to disarming, despite the passage of UN Security Council Resolution 2803, which calls for the terror group to disarm and relinquish control of the Gaza Strip. 

Palestinian sources claimed on Wednesday that a planned meeting between special envoy Steve Witkoff and Hamas political leader Khalil al-Hayya in Turkey was canceled due to Israeli pressure following Hamas’ refusal to disarm. 

According to security sources, the US understands that reconstruction in the territory controlled by Hamas, about 46% of the Gaza Strip, will be difficult. Therefore, discussions on reconstruction in the areas under the control of the IDF are currently taking place as a way to put additional pressure on Hamas. 

The Israeli defense establishment firmly opposes any move to the second phase of the Gaza peace plan without the return of all hostage remains as well as the disarmament of Hamas and the transfer of power to the Board of Peace as called for in the Gaza peace plan.