Close-Quarters Clash: Kfir Brigade Neutralizes About 10 Terrorists After Surprise Attack | WATCH
Israel mobilizes massive reserve force as tensions escalate on Gaza border. In the meanwhile, military preparations intensify following thwarted terrorist attack that wounded three IDF soldiers.
Israeli authorities have approved issuing tens of thousands of reserve call-up orders in preparation for an expected military operation in Gaza. The mobilization comes amid escalating regional tensions and heightened security measures along the Strip.
Attempted Attack Thwarted
Earlier today, an unusual security incident occurred when several terrorists attempted to infiltrate an IDF outpost in Gaza.
According to Open Source Intel,
"a group of at least 20 terror operatives attempted to raid an IDF encampment in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, emerging from a tunnel around 9 a.m."
According to IDF reporter Itay Blumenthal, the attackers were equipped with full combat gear, including vests, rifles, medical supplies, and stretchers, reinforcing suspicions of an intent to kidnap soldiers. They fired RPGs and machine guns, infiltrating a defensive position held by the Nachshon Battalion of the Kfir Brigade’s Haruv reconnaissance unit and then approached the post.
IDF troops responded, killing around least 10 gunmen, in close-quarters combat and through rapid aerial containment, with six others likely escaping back into the tunnel. A Zik drone deployed from the ground joined the fight, targeting the attackers, while fighter jets pursued the fleeing terrorists.
The exchange of gunfire resulted in one seriously injured Nachshon Battalion soldier, and two additional soldiers sustained minor injuries. The injured troops were evacuated to hospitals.
Several of the attackers were neutralized, while others fled the scene.
Hamas claimed one of its fighters detonated himself during the assault, a detail unconfirmed by the IDF. Doron Kadosh, another IDF reporter, noted the attack’s sophistication, with terrorists emerging simultaneously from multiple shafts, highlighting the ongoing threat of Hamas’s tunnel network.
Operations to locate and eliminate the fleeing terrorists continue.
The IDF provided the following timeline, displaying just how quickly the air force responded to the aattack:
This swift coordination between ground forces, including the Haruv Reconnaissance Unit, and IAF assets, including drones and fighter jets, enabled the IDF to eliminate 10 terrorists quickly and force the rest to retreat, preventing a potential massacre and kidnappings.
This marks a rare large-scale attack on an IDF post, following a similar attempt by a 12-man cell in Khan Younis last month. This thwarted attack has prompted Israel to reinforce troop deployments and accelerate contingency plans.
Popular Israeli commentator and musician HaTzel explained:
"The terrorists aimed to infiltrate the outpost, massacre soldiers, and kidnap captives, a worst-case scenario the IDF has long trained for ... Yesterday, concerns were raised about supplying the unit with fans, and generators. Today, they stand as heroes, earning immense respect for their courage."
Preparing for Civilian Evacuations
In parallel with the military preparations, officials have begun planning for potential civilian evacuations in southern Gaza, including discussions on establishing temporary hospitals to provide emergency care.
The IDF’s buildup reflects a broader strategic approach, with five divisions slated for deployment into Gaza, signaling a significant escalation in operational readiness.