IDF begins encircling Beit Hanun, destroying Hamas infrastructure in northern Gaza

The encirclement began shortly after five IDF soldiers were killed and an additional 14 wounded due to a Hamas ambush and several IEDs in the area.

The Givati Brigade and troops from the 99th Division have begun operations to encircle Beit Hanun in the northern Gaza Strip, the IDF announced Wednesday.

Under the command of 162nd Division, soldiers have been working to kill terrorists, as well as dismantle infrastructure and damage Hamas’ military capabilities in the area.

The Israel Air Force reportedly conducted a “fire belt,” or continuous gunfire followed by airstrikes, in the area, as well as additional airstrikes in Gaza City, according to Palestinian reports.

The encirclement began shortly after five IDF soldiers were killed and an additional 14 wounded due to a Hamas ambush and several improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the area on Monday.

Beit Hanun is a strategic location for Hamas and other terror groups

Beit Hanun is in the buffer zone. The Gaza town, which is very close to the Israeli city of Sderot, has long been a hot spot for terrorists, often used by Hamas and other groups to launch rockets at Israel.

The IDF operated in Beit Hanun many times during the 640 days of the Israel-Hamas War.

Most of the city has been badly damaged or destroyed in the war.

Although D-9 armored bulldozers and other vehicles have combed through essentially all of Beit Hanun and northern Gaza multiple times so far, by setting the IED in the last 24 hours before the soldiers entered, Hamas was able to avoid the early detection or destruction of the IEDs by these explosive-clearing vehicles.

Seth J. Frantzman and Yonah Jeremy Bob contributed to this report.