Khan Yunis
Khan Yunis is the second-largest city in the Gaza Strip and a primary hub of Hamas military infrastructure. Since October 2023, it has served as a central theater for IDF operations aimed at dismantling terror networks and locating senior leadership.
Khan Yunis, located approximately 25 kilometers south of Gaza City, is the administrative capital of the southern Gaza Strip. Historically established as a Mamluk caravanserai in the 14th century, the city grew significantly following 1948. From a security perspective, Khan Yunis is regarded by the IDF as a critical stronghold for Hamas, housing extensive subterranean networks and command centers. Throughout the current conflict, the city has seen intense urban combat and targeted strikes. In early July 2026, operations intensified in the Muwasi coastal area—previously designated as a humanitarian zone—following intelligence regarding the presence of senior Hamas officials and the exploitation of the zone for terror activities. Recent strikes have targeted high-ranking figures, including Mahmoud al-Barim, the Hamas director of the Rafah crossing, who was eliminated in a drone strike in the Gheit camp. IDF engineering units have also focused on the systematic destruction of the 'lower city'—a vast tunnel network exceeding one kilometer in length in this sector alone. Despite the conclusion of large-scale maneuvers in 2024, the IDF maintains operational pressure through precise raids and aerial strikes to prevent Hamas from reconstituting its governance or military capabilities in the region.