10 Killed, 3 Injured as Hamas launches attack on IDF base in Gaza

New Delhi,UPDATED: Aug 21, 2025 06:34 IST

The Israel Defence Forces said Kfir Brigade troops troops thwarted a rare large-scale Hamas raid on an army encampment in Khan Younis, southern Gaza, on Wednesday morning.

At least 18 Hamas operatives took part in the attack, which left three Israeli soldiers wounded and resulted in the deaths of ten gunmen, according to an initial military probe.

The IDF believes the attackers intended to kidnap soldiers. The incident began around 9 a.m. when the Hamas fighters emerged from a tunnel and opened fire with machine guns and RPGs as they advanced on the encampment.

Some gunmen managed to breach the post, where they exchanged fire with troops from the Kfir Brigade’s Nahshon Battalion. IDF forces killed ten attackers in direct combat and airstrikes. The military said eight gunmen fled back into the tunnel and are now being pursued.

“The troops identified more than 15 terrorists who emerged from a tunnel and opened fire, including RPG fire, at the forces,” said IDF Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin. “In the same incident, several terrorists entered a building where our forces were residing, and the terrorists were eliminated. We are investigating how this occurred, and will draw the necessary conclusions.”

The IDF released video footage of the airstrikes and the troops’ response. One online clip showed a tank from the 74th Armoured Battalion ramming into an attacker carrying an RPG.

HAMAS CLAIMS SUICIDE ATTACK, FIRES RPGs IN ATTACK LASTING UNDER AN HOUR

The Al-Qassam Brigades, Hamas’s military wing, claimed responsibility, saying its fighters “stormed the site” and carried out a suicide bombing. The group alleged it had targeted tanks, detonated explosive devices, and used machine guns and RPGs to strike buildings used by IDF soldiers.

“A number of fighters stormed the houses and finished off a number of occupation soldiers inside from point-blank range with light weapons and hand grenades,” Al-Qassam claimed, though the IDF reported no fatalities among its soldiers.

The terror group also asserted that it launched sniper fire that “fatally wounded” a tank commander and shelled the area with mortars “to secure the withdrawal of the fighters.” It claimed one fighter detonated himself among Israeli soldiers during the rescue operation.

Despite Hamas stating the battle lasted “several hours,” the IDF said the entire incident was resolved within an hour.

The three injured soldiers were all part of the Nahshon Battalion, with one listed in serious condition and two in good condition.

The attack marks a rare, large-scale infiltration attempt during the current war. A similar incident occurred last month when 12 gunmen targeted an IDF logistics route in the same area. Wednesday’s attack came as Israeli forces prepared for a major operation against Hamas in Gaza City.

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With inputs from agencies