One Month into Operation "Strength and Sword": The Dramatic Achievements of the IDF and Shin Bet in the War Against Terror

Less than a month into Operation "Strength and Sword" in the Southern Command - security forces have published the main achievements of the IDF and Shin Bet (Wednesday):

The Opening Strike:

On March 18, 2025, Operation "Strength and Sword" began, targeting senior government officials and mid-level commanders of the Hamas terrorist organization.

The opening strike was based on intelligence gathering and in-depth research, with close cooperation between the Intelligence Division and the Shin Bet. At this stage, it can be determined with high probability, based on information in the possession of the IDF and Shin Bet, that 8 senior Hamas government officials were eliminated in the opening strike. Additionally, several mid-level terrorists were eliminated from various units, including the General Security apparatus, Internal Security apparatus, and units that significantly operated and supported the production and armament facilities of the Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad terrorist organizations.

To date, as part of Operation "Strength and Sword," approximately 1,200 terror targets have been attacked from the air by 350 fighter jets and Israeli Air Force aircraft. More than 100 targeted eliminations have been carried out, and hundreds of terrorists and military commanders of terrorist organizations in Gaza have been eliminated - the most prominent being: a deputy brigade commander, five battalion commanders, a deputy battalion commander, the head of military intelligence for Hamas in the southern Gaza Strip, 15 company commanders, and additional terrorists who invaded Israeli territory and participated in the murderous massacre on October 7.

Strike Against Senior Hamas Government Officials:

Since the beginning of the war, the defense establishment has been working to eliminate senior Hamas government officials in the Gaza Strip and beyond. 11 senior Hamas government officials have been eliminated as part of Operation "Strength and Sword." The elimination of senior officials in the political bureau and internal mechanisms of Hamas damages the governmental operations and coordination between the political and military wings of the organization. These actions have significantly advanced the dismantling of Hamas's governmental and military capabilities.

Maneuvering of Divisions 36, 143, and 252:

IDF forces continue to eliminate terrorists and work to destroy Hamas terrorist infrastructure above and below ground, including in areas where our forces have not yet operated. The forces are locating weapons, destroying underground passages and terrorist infrastructure of Hamas. The IDF is prepared to expand the ground maneuver according to operational developments.

Security Zone and Isolation of the Rafah Brigade:

Currently, the IDF is expanding the "Morag" route that separates the Khan Younis and Rafah brigades. As part of the operation, the IDF has completed operational control in several central areas and routes throughout the Gaza Strip. About 30% of the Gaza Strip serves as an operational security zone.