WATCH: IDF’s Deadly Strike - Terror Cell Wiped Out in Gaza Cemetery
The IDF eliminated an armed terrorist cell in Khan Yunis’s “Old Cemetery” area, uncovering weapons and dismantling rocket launchers in a targeted airstrike. The operation is part of ongoing efforts to counter terrorist threats in Gaza and protect Israeli civilians.
In a targeted operation last week, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) eliminated an armed terrorist cell operating in the “Old Cemetery” area of Khan Yunis, southern Gaza, which posed a direct threat to nearby IDF troops. Soldiers from the Haruv Reconnaissance Battalion, part of the Kfir Brigade, identified the terrorists and directed an Israeli Air Force aircraft to strike the structure where the cell was based, successfully neutralizing the threat. The operation reflects the IDF’s ongoing efforts to dismantle terrorist infrastructure in Gaza amid heightened regional tensions.
Following the strike, IDF forces discovered an array of weapons on the terrorists’ bodies, including AK-47 rifles, RPG missiles, grenades, and explosives, underscoring the cell’s intent to carry out attacks. In a related operation in the same area, troops located and dismantled rocket launchers, further disrupting terrorist activities. The IDF emphasized its commitment to protecting Israeli civilians, stating, “IDF troops under the Southern Command will continue to operate against the terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip in order to protect Israeli civilians.”
The operation in Khan Yunis aligns with the broader objectives of Operation Gideon’s Chariots, launched to weaken Hamas and other terrorist groups in Gaza following the October 7, 2023, attack that killed over 1,200 Israelis and saw 251 abducted. The “Old Cemetery” area, a known hotspot for terrorist activity, has been a focal point for IDF operations targeting Hamas’s military infrastructure. Recent strikes, including the elimination of Hamas commander Nasser Musa on August 9, 2025, demonstrate Israel’s intensified campaign to degrade the group’s capabilities while prioritizing precision to minimize civilian harm, amid accusations that Hamas exploits civilian areas for cover.