The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Tuesday it had managed to encircle the city of Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strio and advance deep into the area as part of an "extensive" operation that resulted in the elimination of "dozens of terrorists."

"Over the past day, IDF troops carried out an extensive operation during which they encircled Khan Yunis and deepened the operation in the area. The area is a significant stronghold of Hamas' Khan Yunis Brigade. Over the past day, IDF ground troops engaged in close-quarters combat, directed IAF strikes, and used intelligence to coordinate fire, resulting in the elimination of dozens of terrorists," the IDF said on Telegram.

In the course of the operation, the Israeli military also discovered "ready-to-launch rockets, military compounds, shafts and numerous weapons" of Hamas, the statement read.

The IDF command said earlier in January that Hamas' military potential had been eliminated in the northern Gaza Strip and that the Israeli military would now focus on the central and southern parts of the Palestinian enclave.

On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a large-scale rocket attack against Israel from the Gaza Strip while its fighters breached the border, opening fire on the military and civilians. As a result, over 1,200 people in Israel were killed and some 240 others abducted. Israel launched retaliatory strikes, ordered a complete blockade of Gaza and launched a ground incursion into the Palestinian enclave with the declared goal of eliminating Hamas fighters and rescuing the hostages. Over 25,000 people have been killed so far in the Gaza Strip as a result of Israeli strikes, local authorities said.

On November 24, Qatar mediated a deal between Israel and Hamas on a temporary truce and the exchange of some of the prisoners and hostages, as well as the delivery of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip. The ceasefire was extended several times and expired on December 1.

(With UNI inputs)