IDF conducts precise strikes on terrorists in Khan Younis, Gaza death toll surpasses 26,000 

Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) is conducting precise operations against Hamas in Khan Yunis, where terrorists are operating from inside and around the Nasser and Al-Amal hospitals, saidEylon Levy, an official spokesperson of the Israeli government.The IDF said it targeted and eliminated numerous terrorists, including over 10 armed Hamas gunmen, in separate airstrikes in successful operations in Khan Younis. Dozens of Hamas operatives were reported killed, and troops also destroyed terror infrastructure in the area. The Maglan commando unit conducted raids in Khan Younis, and military footage showed an attack helicopter striking a building. Mop-up operations in northern Gaza aim to locate and neutralize the remaining Hamas infrastructure.The number of Palestinians killed in Gaza since the start of the Israel-Hamas war has surpassed 26,000, the Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said Friday.The ministry said the total number of dead is 26,083, with 64,487 Palestinians wounded since the start of the war on Oct. 7. The ministry does not differentiate between combatants and civilians in its death toll, but has said about two-thirds of those killed were women and children.In the past 24 hours, 183 people were killed and 377 others were injured, ministry spokesperson Ashraf al-Qidra said in a statement.Israel’s blistering ground and air offensive has decimated vast swaths of Gaza during the nearly 4-month-old war. The conflict broke out on Oct. 7 when Hamas militants stormed southern Israel, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted some 250.With inputs from AP.