 "Israel targets Nukbha fighters: Who are these ‘elite’ Hamas troops?")
Israel is targeting Hamas’ political leadership as well as its ‘elite’ unit which participated in Saturday’s attacks. The Israeli Air Force posted on X:
Overnight (Thursday), the IAF conducted a wave of strikes targeting the Nukhba elite forces of the Hamas terrorist organization, by striking operational command centers used by operatives who infiltrated the communities surrounding the Gaza Strip last Saturday.
— Israeli Air Force (@IAFsite) October 12, 2023
The Israeli Air Force account stated that the Nukhba elite forces were among Hamas’ troops that infiltrated the state of Israel in order to carry out murderous acts of terror against its citizens. But what do we know about the Nukhba forces? Let’s take a closer look: In Gaza, the Israeli military said overnight strikes targeted Hamas’ elite Nukhba forces, including command centers used by the fighters who attacked Israel on Saturday, and the home of a senior Hamas naval operative that it said was used to store unspecified weapons.
Attached is the footage of the overnight strikes in the Gaza Strip pic.twitter.com/S6p93GBrMg
— Israeli Air Force (@IAFsite) October 12, 2023
As per India Today, the fighters get their name from ‘Al-Nukhba’ – meaning ’elite’ in Arabic. The group is the top fighting unit of Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades – Hamas’ military wing. These fighters have received extensive training. They have access to the latest weapons and technology and know how to use them.
They are also trained to take hostages – a frequent tactic of Hamas.
They are trained to handle weapons and explosives, to scuba dive and also have a thorough knowledge of hand-to-hand combat. The units previously fought in the 2014 conflict in which they managed to pull off many attacks against Israeli troops. However, many of its members also died in Israel’s 2014 Operation Protective Edge. Hamas also lost a higher number of its elite troops to the Islamic State.. But in recent years, their numbers have grown again, as per India Today. ‘Will get every one of them’ Bloomberg quoted Lieutenant Colonel Richard Hecht as saying that the Nukhba forces let Saturday’s attack. Hecht said these forces are “personally handpicked by the Hamas leadership to do the most violent work — raids, stakeouts, infiltration and abduction. You can’t disconnect them from the leadership.” Hecht added that the Israeli military was looking to take out the Nukhba command centres in Gaza. He vowed that ‘“we will get every single one of them.” As per the Israeli Air Force, these terrorists are also involved in firing anti-tank missiles, rocket, and sniper fire.
As per NDTV, these forces also protect top Hamas leadership.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsOther airstrikes killed commanders from two smaller militant groups, according to media linked to those organizations. “Right now we are focused on taking out their senior leadership,” Hecht, the military spokesman, said of Hamas. “Not only the military leadership, but also the governmental leadership, all the way up to (top Hamas leader Yehia) Sinwar.” Hecht, an Israeli military spokesman, told reporters Thursday that forces “are preparing for a ground maneuver” should political leaders order one. Drone footage filmed by The Associated Press revealed extensive damage at the Shati refugee otecamp, in the north of Gaza, following overnight airstrikes. Residents picked their way through the rubble as fire and rescue crews looked for survivors. While Israel has insisted that it is giving notice of its strikes, it is employing a new tactic of leveling whole neighborhoods, rather than just individual buildings. Hecht said targeting decisions were based on intelligence and civilians were warned. With inputs from agencies
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
 "Russian drones over Poland: Trump’s tepid reaction a wake-up call for Nato?")
 "As Russia pushes east, Ukraine faces mounting pressure to defend its heartland")
 "Why Mossad was not on board with Israel’s strike on Hamas in Qatar")
 "Turkey: Erdogan's police arrest opposition mayor Hasan Mutlu, dozens officials in corruption probe")
