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The IDF announced that a group of terrorists who had taken part in the October 7 massacre and were planning another imminent attack against Israeli forces were eliminated in a targeted strike.

According to the military, Israeli forces identified an armed terror cell from Hamas on Sunday that was preparing to carry out an attack against IDF troops operating in the Gaza Strip.

The IDF carried out a strike on the group, successfully neutralizing the threat.

Military officials later confirmed that several of those killed were directly involved in the October 7 massacre. The individuals were identified as Rami Ibrahim Harb and Musab Ziyaz Dara, both members of Hamas’ Nukhba unit who infiltrated Israeli territory during the October 7 attacks and were actively planning additional terror operations against IDF forces in the immediate timeframe.

Also eliminated was Abd Muhammad Amtsi, a terrorist affiliated with the Popular Resistance Committees, an organization that operates in coordination with Hamas to advance terror activity.

Another operative killed in the strike was Taufik Khaldi, a member of Hamas.

In addition to those named, three other Hamas terrorists were killed in the operation.

The IDF stated that forces under Southern Command remain deployed in accordance with operational directives and will continue working to eliminate any immediate threats.

“IDF forces in the Southern Command are deployed in the area in accordance with the agreement and will continue to act to remove any immediate threat,” the military said.

{Matzav.com}

IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said during a visit to the Northern Command that Israeli forces have eliminated more than 400 Hezbollah terrorists and are preparing to strengthen operations in the region with additional troops.

The visit, which was only cleared for publication afterward by the IDF, included Northern Command head Maj. Gen. Rafi Milo and other senior officers. Zamir toured the area, held a situational assessment, approved future operational plans, and met with division commanders involved in the fighting.

Speaking during the visit, Zamir emphasized that Iran remains the primary arena, noting that weakening the regime and its capabilities has a direct impact on Hezbollah as well.

“Iran is the main arena. Weakening the regime and its capabilities will weaken the entire radical axis, including the Hezbollah terrorist organization. The campaign against Hezbollah is another central front. Every blow to Iran’s military buildup and the Revolutionary Guards also harms Hezbollah’s weapons supply and funding. The impact of the strikes against the radical regime in Iran is also being felt in the campaign against Hezbollah.”

He added that in recent weeks, Israeli forces launched a targeted ground operation in southern Lebanon aimed at pushing threats away from the border and ensuring long-term security for residents of northern Israel.

“In the past two weeks, we initiated a focused ground operation in southern Lebanon with the goal of removing the threat from the border and ensuring long-term security for northern residents. Northern Command is conducting a determined campaign against Hezbollah, during which more than 400 terrorists have been eliminated so far, including senior figures in the organization.”

Zamir stressed that the military intends to continue intensifying its efforts until all objectives are achieved, while simultaneously strengthening defensive measures.

“We are determined to deepen the operation until all our objectives are achieved. At the same time, we are reinforcing our defenses and strengthening Northern Command with additional forces. Hezbollah is currently fighting a war for its very existence. It is paying a heavy price for entering this conflict, and the pressure on it will only increase.”

Concluding his remarks, the chief of staff praised the troops for their efforts and underscored the need to remain focused on eliminating threats and protecting Israeli communities.

“In the past week, the forces in Northern Command have been operating with determination and strength—I greatly appreciate that. Now we must focus on removing threats, strengthening the defense of the communities, and continuing to intensify the damage to Hezbollah.”

{Matzav.com}

At a joint press briefing in Jerusalem on Tuesday with Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna, Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar addressed the recent killing of two senior Iranian figures, presenting the strikes as part of a broader effort to counter regional threats posed by Tehran.

“Last night, the IDF took out Commander of the Basij Gholamreza Soleimani, and his deputy and Secretary of the Supreme National Security Council Ali Larijani,” Sa’ar said.

He continued by asserting that their removal also benefits Iranian civilians, pointing to their roles in suppressing dissent. “the Iranians are also safer without them,” he said.

Brilliant speech by @gidonsaar – take a listen.

“He had a $10 million price on his head in the US, we did it for free any how” – referencing Ali Larijani

The part where he turns to the Estonian Minister and says:

“We still haven’t seen anything from Mojtaba, wouldn’t you… pic.twitter.com/0e7QgnYr46

— Kosher (@koshercockney) March 17, 2026

Expanding on their records, Sa’ar described both men as key enforcers of internal repression. “The Basij, under Soleimani’s command, was responsible for the brutal repression of the Iranian people seeking their freedom. Soleimani was under US and EU sanctions for his role in repressing Iranians. Larijani was also under US sanctions, for the same reason, with a 10 million dollar prize on his head. We did it for free, anyhow. Our actions are weakening its repression mechanism. The regime can only be toppled by the Iranian people. Yet without external help, the Iranian people can’t liberate themselves,” Sa’ar said.

Sa’ar characterized Iran as a central destabilizing force worldwide. He referred to the regime as “the number one source of regional and global instability,” and accused it of exporting “extremism, terror and bloodshed” since 1979.

He further outlined Iran’s network of allied militant groups across the Middle East. According to Sa’ar, Tehran has established “a proxy network of terror states across the region,” including Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, and the Houthis in Yemen.

Discussing recent violence, Sa’ar claimed the regime intentionally targets civilians. He pointed to specific incidents, stating that it “deliberately attacks civilian populations,” including what he described as a strike near a major Christian site in Jerusalem. “Yesterday, it hit by the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the Old City of Jerusalem,” he said, adding that he spoke with the Patriarch to express solidarity.

He also cited attacks affecting both Muslim and Jewish communities, referencing “a Mosque on Ramadan” in the village of Zarzir and “a synagogue in Beit Shemesh, killing 9 Jews.”

Turning to Iran’s military capabilities, Sa’ar said ongoing efforts by Israel and the United States are aimed at dismantling key components of Iran’s strategic arsenal. “Israel and the United States are taking out Iran’s nuclear program,” he said, along with its missile infrastructure and broader military production capacity.

He emphasized that these threats extend beyond Israel. “These don’t just threaten Israel, but also other countries in the Middle East and Europe,” he said, adding that such operations would “directly impact European security for the better.”

Sa’ar also warned about disruptions to global shipping routes, attributing them to Iranian-backed forces. He described the situation as “modern piracy,” stating, “The Houthis… crippled the freedom of navigation in the Red Sea,” and added, “Now, the Iranian regime is blocking international shipping and the flow of energy through the Strait of Hormuz.”

He cautioned that if left unchecked, these tactics could spread to other parts of the world.

{Matzav.com}

IDF Spokesperson Effie Defrin: In recent hours, the IDF has identified expanded Hezbollah preparations to launch rocket barrages toward Israel in the coming hours and is operating to thwart the threat.