IDF continues operations, Gaza authorities say 87 dead in past 2 days

The Israel Defense Forces said they are continuing operations in several areas of the Gaza Strip in a post on X on Saturday.

The health authorities in Gaza said at least 87 people were killed in the past two days.

The Israeli army said several armed Hamas members who had attacked soldiers were killed in the neighbourhood of Shejaiya in the city of Gaza.

Soldiers also discovered tunnels and longer-range rockets during the operation, which has been ongoing there since the end of June, which indicates "a renewed attempt by the enemy to establish a base in the area," the army said.

Israel's military has sought to eliminate Palestinian Islamist Hamas from the neighbourhood in the past.

The IDF also said fighting continues in Rafah in the southernmost part of the strip and "several terrorist cells that posed a threat" were eliminated there.

In an area designated as a "humanitarian zone" in the city of Deir al-Balah in central Gaza, the IDF said it targeted a Hamas rocket launcher hidden there.

Rockets are repeatedly being fired at Israel from the coastal area. A missile aimed at an Israeli town near the Gaza Strip recently fell in an open area, according to recent Israeli media reports.

During the attack on southern Israel on October 7, terrorists from Hamas and other extremist groups killed 1,200 people and took up to 250 hostage in the Gaza Strip. Israel believes that around 120 hostages are still there, but many of them are probably no longer alive.

The unprecedented massacre triggered the war in Gaza, with Israeli leaders saying they are still intent on eradicating Hamas.

According to the Hamas-controlled health authority, around 38,098 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza so far. This figure includes both fighters and civilians. A further 87,705 have been injured.