Overview
- Israeli special forces carried out a raid in Gaza City's Katiba neighbourhood on Wednesday, seizing and wounding Hamas security official Moin Al Arabeed according to witnesses and local security sources.
- Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited forces in Gaza and said Israel controls roughly 60% of the Strip and will hold and expand positions until Hamas is disarmed and Gaza is demilitarised.
- The Israel Defense Forces confirmed special-forces involvement in the operation but would not confirm reports that pro-Israeli local militias took part.
- Gaza witnesses and internal security sources reported civilian deaths and injuries during the raid, and residents described heavy gunfire, drone strikes and families fleeing crowded streets and tent areas.
- The raid and Netanyahu's vow to stay in Gaza risk complicating a US-brokered pullback tied to the October 2025 ceasefire and also serve as a public show of strength ahead of Israel's October election.