The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have announced the successful capture of the Gaza harbor previously under the control of Hamas.

Soldiers from the 188th Brigade and Shayetet 13 led the operation, gaining control of the strategic location on Thursday morning.

During the operation, a total of 10 terrorists were neutralized in the port area.

The harbor, seemingly a civilian facility, served as a front for Hamas’s nefarious activities. It functioned as a training ground for Hamas’s naval commando forces, instrumental in planning and executing terror attacks via the sea.

🔴WATCH: In recent days, the IDF in a multi-armed combat achieved operational control over the central stronghold of #Gaza, which was controlled by the terrorist organization #Hamas pic.twitter.com/V5X6M6w9RH

— i24NEWS English (@i24NEWS_EN) November 16, 2023

Hamas deceitfully operated within civilian premises, deploying Gaza harbor police vessels to camouflage their malevolent intentions.

IDF SpokespersonIDF forces take control of the harbor in the Gaza Strip

Recent events underscored the critical nature of this operation, with Hamas attempting multiple sea infiltrations following their attack on October 7th.

Notably, on October 24th, a thwarted attempt near the southern Gaza border town of Zikim resulted in the death of at least ten Hamas terrorists as they tried to breach Israel’s borders.