TEL AVIV, November 7. /TASS/. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) units have taken control of a Hamas military stronghold in the northern part of the Gaza Strip, the army press service reported.

"The IDF took control of a Hamas military stronghold in the northern Gaza Strip," the statement said.

The press service added that "anti-tank missiles and launchers, weapons, and various intelligence materials" were found in the stronghold.

In addition, the Israeli Navy hit strategic Hamas targets with precision munitions. "IDF naval forces struck with precise ammunition strategic targets belonging to the Hamas terrorist organization, including posts containing technological assets," the statement said.

The press service pointed out that a strike on Hamas militants in a building near the al-Quds Hospital resulted in "secondary explosions." "IDF troops located a number of Hamas terrorists who barricaded themselves in a building adjacent to the al-Quds Hospital, and planned to carry out an attack on the forces from there. IDF soldiers directed an aircraft to strike the Hamas terrorists. The attack led to significant secondary explosions which indicate the presence of a Hamas weapons depot in a civilian area," the statement said.

The military added that "coordination with soldiers on the ground, an IDF fighter jet struck a cell of approximately ten terrorists" in Gaza. "Following this, IDF ground troops identified an anti-tank missile cell operating in their vicinity. The troops directed an IDF aircraft that struck the terrorist cell," the press service said, noting that "of Hamas mortar shell launchers were also struck overnight."

Tensions flared up again in the Middle East on October 7 when Hamas militants staged a surprise attack on Israeli territory from the Gaza Strip, killing residents of Israeli border settlements and taking more than 240 hostages, including women, children and the elderly. Hamas described its attack as a response to the aggressive actions of Israeli authorities against the Al-Aqsa Mosque on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem’s Old City. Israel has announced a total blockade of the Gaza Strip and has been delivering air strikes on Gaza as well as some parts of Lebanon and Syria. Clashes are also underway in the West Bank.