Hamas soldiers have reportedly captured Israel Army Commander Nimrod Aloni, international media reported.
The soldiers posted an image of the commander from the Depth Corps wearing a T-Shirt and underwear, seemingly being taken through a street in Gaza City.
Commander Aloni is the head of the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) Depth Corps and Military Colleges, appointed earlier this year by Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant.
An IDF source told Telegraph that the Hamas claim about Commander Aloni is “unclear and unconfirmed.”
This incident follows a massive assault by terrorist gunmen and a barrage of rocket fire from the Gaza Strip earlier in the day.
Hamas deputy chief Saleh al-Arouri told Al Jazeera that Hamas soldiers had captured “a big number” of Israelis, including “senior officers,” and claimed they were engaged in an all-out battle for freedom, with a prime target being the freedom of their holy sites.
Earlier in the day, the Palestinian soldiers initiated “Operation Al-Aqsa Flood” against Israel, marking the most serious escalation in tensions since the 11-day conflict between Israel and Palestine in 2021.
This operation has unfolded amid heightened regional tensions and ongoing geopolitical challenges.
Hamas has announced that it launched an astonishing 5,000 rockets as part of this operation, signaling a substantial and coordinated assault. Israel has also confirmed that Hamas fighters have entered its territory.
Daniel Hagari, a spokesperson for the Israeli army, has reported that Hamas launched attacks from multiple fronts, including land, sea, and air, underscoring the complexity and intensity of this operation. However, Hamas has time and again clarified that attacks on Israel is a retaliatioin against occupation and oppression on Palestinains by Israeli forces.
The initial wave of rocket attacks occurred at 06:30 AM local time (03:30 GMT), catching many by surprise and exacerbating the already tense situation in the region. These attacks coincided with Simchat Torah, a significant holiday that marks the conclusion of the weeklong Jewish festival known as Sukkot, or the Feast of Tabernacles.
In response to the Hamas attack, the Israeli army has launched its own operation, named “Operation Iron Swords,” against Palestinians.
The international community is closely monitoring the rapidly evolving situation, with concerns growing about the potential for further escalation and the safety of civilians on both sides.
Efforts to mediate and de-escalate tensions are expected to intensify, as regional stability hangs in the balance.
