The IDF said it has full control of the city of Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip.

The IDF took control of the city of Beit Hanoun/Channel 24 Collage

The IDF completed an operation against the terrorist group Hamas in the Beit-Hanun area Hanoun in the north of the Gaza Strip. This was done by the 252nd Reserve Division of the Israeli army.

It transferred responsibility for this region to the Gaza Division. This indicates that the military has managed to establish strong control over this sector.

In a statement, the IDF said that troops of the 252nd Division, including infantry, tanks, engineers, as well as artillery, defeated a Hamas battalion in Beit Hanoun. They managed to capture all the main objects and strongholds.

What is known about the operation

< p>As noted by the Israel Defense Forces, the Beit Hanoun battalionused schools and public buildings as bases. In them, the military discovered tunnels and weapons.

So, the 252nd Division managed to eliminate “many terrorists” during operations in Beit Hanoun. Also destroyed weapons depots, rocket launchers, underground command centers and “significant tunnels”.

Hamas underground infrastructure in the Beit Hanoun area was damaged, the mines were destroyed, as well as the main tunnel routes, the message says.

Also, the division's “Hare” brigade, together with special forces tunnel of the Beit Hanoun battalion in the area. It is, the IDF says, located deep in the civilian infrastructure between Beit Hanoun City Hall, a soccer field, and a kindergarten.

According to the IDF, during the fighting in Beit Hanoun, the brigade “Hare” managed to spot two Hamas militants. They left the tunnel and joined two more militants in a car, who moved towards the troops. So, the army carried out an airstrike, the consequences of which were the liquidation of four Hamas members

The largest Hamas tunnel was discovered

Please note that on December 17, the Israel Defense Forces discovered the largest Hamas tunnel in history. The military stumbled upon it in the north of the Gaza Strip, not far from the Erez border crossing with Israel.

This tunnel reaches about four kilometers. In some places it goes deep underground to a distance of up to 50 meters. The IDF notes that it is quite wide. This allows vehicles to pass through. Interestingly, he did not reach the very border.