IDF wraps up second Jabalya invasion after three weeks

The IDF on Friday concluded its second invasion of Jabalya in northern Gaza after approximately three weeks, dating back to around May 11.

According to the military, during the operation, it destroyed 12 kilometers of Hamas tunnels, killed between 300 and 500 terrorists, and as already reported, found and returned the remains of seven hostages who had been taken by Hamas on October 7 and murdered.

Previously, the IDF fought in Jabalya from November through late December, with the military declaring operational control over the entire northern Gaza area by mid-January.

Despite that declaration, the IDF has now had to return to northern Gaza with large forces twice: once in mid-March to Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, and in the second time to Jabalya.

More than half of remaining hostages presumed dead

Although the IDF celebrated the return of the seven bodies of Israeli hostages, statements made by IDF commanders that ongoing operations were bringing Israel closer to retrieving dozens of live hostages or perhaps more, seemed to be contradicted by there being no actual progress on that count since late November. (More than half of the remaining 130 or so hostages are presumed dead, according to sources that have discussed the issue with The Jerusalem Post under condition of anonymity.)

Moreover, Hamas appears to have hardened its negotiating position even as the IDF has taken over most of Rafah, including the last tunnels it was using to rearm, which had stretched all the way into Egypt.

The IDF said that the Jabalya fighting included over 341 attacks on army forces in the first week by anti-tank missiles and rocket-propelled grenades.

In the first five days alone, forces were hit by over 120 anti-tank missiles.

Significant portions of the fighting took place underground, with the IDF saying that Jabalya contained the largest remaining Hamas tunnel network in Gaza.

Despite eliminating much of that network, IDF officials have said that getting rid of the entire matrix could take years.

In addition, the military said it carried out over 200 airstrikes against Hamas during the operation in Jabalya.