The Hamad City incursion was a two–week Israeli military operation against Hamas forces in the apartment complex and neighborhood of Hamad City, Khan Yunis, in the Gaza Strip.

Hamad City incursion
Part of the siege of Khan Yunis during the Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip, part of the Israel-Hamas war
Date3 – 16 March 2024
(1 week and 6 days)
Location
Hamad City, Khan Yunis, Gaza Strip 31°22′34″N 34°19′06″E / 31.37608°N 34.31835°E / 31.37608; 34.31835
Result Israeli withdrawal from Hamad after reportedly clearing it[1]
Belligerents
 Israel  Hamas
Palestinian Islamic Jihad
Palestinian Mujahideen Movement
Commanders and leaders
Israel Dan Goldfus
Israel Liran Batito
Israel Elad Tzuri
Israel Omer Cohen[2]
Israel Amishar Ben David [3]
Unknown
Units involved

 Israel Defense Forces

State of Palestine Palestinian Joint Operations Room

Casualties and losses
Israeli claim:
Israel 3 killed[3]
Israel 20 injured[2]
Israeli claim:
70–100 killed
300+ arrested[6]
100 buildings damaged or destroyed[1]
8,500 displaced[7]

Battle

On 3 March Israeli forces entered Hamad City, setting up checkpoints there and telling civilians to leave.[8] The operation extensive airstrikes targeting 50 objects as well as artillery barrage.[7] Within 15 minutes Israeli forces reportedly encircled the neighborhood killing anyone who did not leave through designated areas, claiming to have killed 20 Hamas sighters.

On 8 March Major Amishar Ben David, battalion commander's command and control officer was killed while fighting in Hamad City.[5] On 11 March, the Israeli army said it killed15 Hamas fighters in residential apartments, and also said it found weapons caches in tunnels.[7] On 13 March heavy clashes were reported in Hamad City with Israeli forces conquering the town building after building with two Israeli soldiers reportedly being killed.[5] Israel said it conducted more than 100 airstrikes.[9] On 15 March Israeli forces claimed to have destroyed 200m long tunnel in Hamad City.[10] On 16 March 2024 Palestinian forces claimed to have targeted an Israeli personnel carrier using “Asif” bomb and AR bullets.[11]

On 16 March Israeli forces withdrew from Hamad because of heavy resistance from the Palestinian forces.[12]

On 19 March Israel announced the end of its incursion, destruction of 100 buildings, killing reportedly over 100 fighters[4] and seizing weapons.[13]

Aftermath

On 21 March Palestinian journalist showed a video of empty streets in Hamad City without Israeli presence.[13] Fifteen bodies were recovered in the area by the Palestine Red Crescent Society.[14]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "IRAN UPDATE, MARCH 21, 2024". Institute for the Study of War. Retrieved 14 April 2024.
  2. ^ a b How the IDF dismantled Gaza's Qatari-funded terror neighborhood, 24 March 2024
  3. ^ a b https://www.gov.il/en/departments/news/swords-of-iron-idf-casualties#:~:text=Share%3A,have%20been%20killed%20in%20battle.&text=%2D%20Figures%20refer%20only%20to%20IDF%20personnel%20injured%20in%20combat
  4. ^ a b c "Institute for the Study of War". Institute for the Study of War.
  5. ^ a b c Where terrorists hide in luxury homes: A visit to the Qatari-built Hamas stronghold, 13 March 2024
  6. ^ Mission accomplished: IDF completes ten-day Hamad operation in southern Gaza Strip, 25 March 2024
  7. ^ a b c IDF kills 15 terrorists in central Gaza as Hamad City operation continues, 11 March 2024
  8. ^ Iran Update, March 3, 2024, 3 March 2024
  9. ^ Troops have killed over 100 Hamas operatives in Khan Younis complex in March, says IDF, 13 March 2024
  10. ^ IDF finds Hamas tunnel under bell pepper field near Khan Younis, 15 March 2024
  11. ^ The complete withdrawal of Israel from the north of the city of Hamad in Khan Yunis, 16 March 2024
  12. ^ "GAZA LIVE BLOG: Israel Withdraws from Hamad Town | Nuseirat under Attack | Malnutrition Spread in Gaza - Day 162". March 16, 2024.
  13. ^ a b IRAN UPDATE, MARCH 21, 2024
  14. ^ Israeli withdrawal from Hamad town:15 bodies recovered from ruins of Khan Younis, Al Jazeera English