IDF conducted strikes on eight terrorists emerging from underground in eastern Rafah early Friday morning, the IDF announced.
The eight terrorists were identified by troops coming up from below the ground, and were then struck by the Israeli air force, successfully killing three of them.
Later in the morning, additional strikes were made against the areas to which the remaining terrorists attempted to escape. The results from these strikes are currently under review, and the IDF said they are continuing to search the area for the remaining terrorists.
Later in the day, an IDF spokesperson announced that, in response to Hezbollah's ceasefire violations, the IDF had struck a Hezbollah terrorist in the Seddiqin area, and the Mazraat al-Daoudiya area in southern Lebanon. The IDF said in a statement that the terrorist took part in attempts to reestablish military infrastructure sites belonging to Hezbollah.
Strikes in southern Lebanon on Hezbollah infrastructure continued into Friday evening, according to IDF updates.
The IDF also identified four armed terrorists on Friday near the Yellow Line, approaching IDF troops in a way that constituted an immediate threat. The troops alerted the Israeli Air Force, which struck and successfully killed the four terrorists.
IDF thwarts weapon smuggling attempt
On Friday evening, the IDF announced that the Aerial Defense Array detected a drone that crossed into Israeli territory from the west, attempting to smuggle weapons.
After the drone was identified, IDF troops intercepted and located it, discovering that it was carrying three M-16 rifles.
The weapons were subsequently handed over to security forces for further processing.
Hamas disarmament talks expected after Rafah Crossing reopening
The strikes come as the preparations to reopen the Rafah Crossing continue, following the recovery and repatriation of the body of the last abducted Israeli hostage, Ran Gvili. Discussions on disarming Hamas are expected to begin only after the crossing reopens.
According to sources, a Palestinian technocratic administration in Gaza is slated to lead negotiations with Hamas regarding disarmament. “The idea is that Palestinians will negotiate with Palestinians,” one of the sources said.
Amichai Stein contributed to this report.