Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz says a senior Hamas operative was captured in Gaza, following reports of a coordinated operation involving the IDF and an anti-Hamas militia.

Katz: “This is our policy: we do not wait for threats, but pursue Hamas terrorists, thwart them and destroy their terrorist infrastructure. We have built a strong and unprecedented security zone in Gaza to protect the residents and IDF soldiers.”

“We are not withdrawing from Gaza until the Strip is demilitarized, Hamas is disarmed and all terror tunnels are destroyed. And even after that, the IDF will remain in Gaza on defensive lines and ensure the security of the western Negev communities.”

Hamas-linked sources say an anti-Hamas militia attempted to capture a senior Hamas commander near the American Hospital in Gaza City, alongside several Israeli airstrikes.