Israeli Defense Forces attack Hamas sites amid ongoing conflict

On April 13, 2025, in Israel and Gaza, the Israeli Air Force intercepted a rocket fired by terrorists in Gaza as the Jewish community celebrated Passover. This incident was followed by military action from the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), which targeted a Hamas command-and-control center in the central Gaza Strip near Deir al-Balah. The IDF reports indicated that numerous terrorists were present in the area, planning attacks against Israeli civilians and troops. Efforts were made to avoid harming civilians during these strikes, using precise munitions and conducting aerial surveillance. Additionally, warnings were issued to residents in the intended target areas to facilitate civilian evacuation and reduce the risk of collateral damage. Prior to the airstrike on the command center at Al-Ahli Hospital in Gaza City, IDF troops initiated ground operations in the Daraj Tuffah neighborhood of Gaza City. Throughout the preceding day, hostilities intensified as Palestinian terrorists opened fire on IDF troops, resulting in the deaths of two attackers. In response, IDF forces also conducted a series of retaliatory strikes against the militants. Simultaneously, dozens of rockets were launched from Gaza towards Israel, though the IAF successfully intercepted these projectiles without any reported injuries. The military operations are part of the IDF's broader campaign to dismantle Hamas's terrorist infrastructure and expand the security zone, particularly as they have recently encircled the city of Rafah. The ongoing situation reflects a tension-filled context where both sides accuse each other of violating international law, with the IDF asserting that Hamas uses civilian areas for military purposes, thus putting the civilian population at risk. The situation remains volatile as military operations continue, and the potential for escalated conflict looms large. The Israeli leadership has vowed to maintain operational control over the central routes in the region and persist with counter-terrorism operations. This conflict marks a significant moment in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian tensions, with the IDF planning further interventions to eliminate what they deem potential threats from Hamas, while the humanitarian implications for civilians in Gaza become increasingly dire.