'Major operation': Israel eliminates 'terrorist cell', 'Hamas tunnel' in Gaza - watch video

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) destroyed a "terrorist cell" and a " Hamas tunnel" under a "major operation" in Gaza's Khan Yunis, the Israeli military said on Friday.

According to IDF, the operation was conducted by the 188th Armored Brigade and 36th Division of Israel's army.

"The armed cell was spotted approaching forces of the 188th Armored Brigade during operations in the area in recent days," Times of Israel quoted an IDF spokesperson as saying.

"In the same area, the brigade, along with the Yahalom combat engineering unit, located and demolished a kilometer-long Hamas tunnel," the spokesperson added.

🇮🇱 IDF forces eliminated a terrorist cell in Khan Yunis as part of a major operation led by the 188th Armored Brigade and 36th Division.

🔹 Terrorist infrastructure above & below ground was destroyed
🔹 A 1km underground tunnel was exposed & dismantled
🔹 Weapons & military gear… pic.twitter.com/xeH9XJ7mxO

— Israel War Room (@IsraelWarRoom) July 11, 2025

The Israeli troops also confiscated weapons and military gear.

Meanwhile, Hamas, the militant group which controls Gaza, on Thursday announced its opposition to any potential ceasefire deal which would allow the Jewish State to continue its large military presence in the Palestinian enclave.

Since Sunday, the two sides have been holding indirect talks in Qatar to agree a temporary truce, and the United States says it is hopeful a 60-day halt can be secured in the coming days.

The Gaza war has been on since October 7, 2023, when Hamas conducted terrorist attacks in Israel and abducted Israeli and foreign citizens, resulting in an Israeli retaliation.