A Gaza militia that frequently operates in cooperation with Israel carried out an operation earlier today against a Hamas-linked target in western Gaza City. C14 military correspondent Hillel Biton Rosen reported that the force was exposed during the operation, triggering an exchange of fire. The mission ultimately ended successfully. According to reports from Gaza, the Israeli Air Force helped the operatives escape the area, carrying out strikes nearby to provide cover for their extraction.
After the force was exposed, Israeli aerial activity began in the area. According to reports from the Gaza Strip, the Air Force provided cover for the operatives on the ground, striking nearby targets and helping them withdraw from the scene. Shifa Hospital reported three people killed and eight wounded.
According to Arab reports, the incident took place in an area known as Al-Katiba in western Gaza City. Conflicting accounts circulated in Gaza during the operation regarding the identity of the force. Some channels initially claimed it was an Israeli special forces unit, while other reports said the operatives belonged to a militia opposed to Hamas.
Watch | Arab networks
After the force was exposed, Hamas terrorists arrived at the scene and an exchange of fire erupted. During the incident, two vehicles carrying terrorists reportedly approached the area and were struck by missiles. At this stage, no verified information has been released regarding the number of people inside the vehicles or their condition.
At the same time, reports from Gaza described numerous drones operating in the area, along with helicopter activity west of Gaza City. Multiple explosions were heard during the operation, with some of the blasts also audible in Israeli communities near the Gaza border.
According to some reports from Gaza, the militia members entered the area using a vehicle used to transport vegetables before eventually being discovered by Hamas terrorists. The confrontation erupted following their exposure, with sources in the Strip reporting several casualties during the incident. Saudi outlet Al-Hadath also reported that a militia cooperating with Israel was behind the operation. According to the network, the mission was intended to abduct a prominent figure in western Gaza City.
Watch | Photo: Arab networks
Arab media outlets further reported approximately 18 Israeli airstrikes in the area during the incident, with at least one person killed and several others wounded. Amid the unusual operation, warnings circulated on Gaza channels instructing residents in the area to remain where they were and seek safe locations as Israeli aerial activity continued. Details regarding the precise nature of the operation, the reported abduction attempt and the number of casualties are, at this stage, based on Arab media reports and have not been independently verified.