The IDF has withdrawn its 98th Division from Khan Yunis, marking the end of full-fledged ground operations in the enclave after exactly six months since the October 7 attack, Israeli state-run radio Kan reported earlier in the day.
"The achievements of the 98th IDF Division and its units are extremely impressive. They eliminated terrorists and destroyed terrorist facilities, including warehouses, weapons, headquarters, communications centers and more. Their work has eliminated Hamas as an active military entity in the area [of Khan Yunis]. Our forces are preparing for future missions. We saw examples of such missions at the Shifa Hospital and [will see] similar missions in Rafah," Gallant said in a statement released by the Israeli Defense Ministry.
The minister expressed confidence that the Israeli army would reach a point "where Hamas no longer controls the Gaza Strip and no longer functions as a military entity that poses a threat to the citizens of the State of Israel."
On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a large-scale rocket attack against Israel and breached the border, attacking both civilian neighborhoods and military bases. Nearly 1,200 people in Israel were killed, and some 240 others abducted during the attack.
Israel launched retaliatory strikes, ordered a complete blockade of Gaza, and started a ground incursion into the Palestinian enclave with the declared goal of eliminating Hamas fighters and rescuing the hostages. Over 33,100 people have been killed so far by Israeli strikes in the Gaza Strip, according to local authorities.