Rafah, Palestine - May 7, 2024

[Note: partially no sound]

Overnight (Monday), IDF ground troops began an operation based on IDF and ISA intelligence to eliminate Hamas operatives and dismantle Hamas infrastructure within specific areas of eastern Rafah.

Prior to the operation, the IDF encouraged residents in the area of eastern Rafah to temporarily evacuate to the expanded humanitarian area in Al-Mawasi, where the IDF has facilitated the expansion of field hospitals, tents, and an increase in water, food, and medical supplies. International organizations working in the area were also encouraged to temporarily evacuate prior to the beginning of the operation.

Following intelligence that indicated that the Rafah Crossing in eastern Rafah was being used for Hamas organization's purposes, IDF troops managed to establish operational control of the Gazan side of the crossing. On Sunday, mortars were fired from the area of the Rafah Crossing toward the area of the Kerem Shalom Crossing, as a result of which four IDF soldiers were killed and a number of other soldiers injured.

Furthermore, as part of the operational activity, IDF ground troops and IAF fighter jets struck and eliminated Hamas targets in the Rafah area, including military structures, underground infrastructure, and additional infrastructure from which Hamas operated in the Rafah area. Since the start of the operational activity, approximately 20 operatives have been eliminated and three operational tunnel shafts have been located. No injuries were reported.

IDF ground troops are continuing to operate against Hamas operatives and infrastructure in the area of the Rafah Crossing in eastern Rafah.