The 7th Brigade combat team of Israeli army is leading the operation on Thursday. They include soldiers from the 7th Brigade, the Givati Brigade, and the Paratroopers Brigade. IDF soldiers killed dozens of terrorists in close combat with help from aircraft.
Israeli soldiers raided a United Nations school used as a hideout by Shejaiya Battalion terrorists. The hideout had many weapons, grenades, and important intelligence documents.
Soldiers also found a terrorist war room in a medical clinic. The clinic had communication and observation devices.
The IDF destroyed many tunnels and tunnel shafts in the neighborhood. Some tunnels were found using intelligence documents from recent operations in Gaza. The military found evidence that Hamas started recruiting new members since returning to the neighborhood. They are trying to rebuild. The IDF estimates the operation in Shejaiya could last weeks. The goal is to destroy the remaining Hamas forces and infrastructure.