Photo: IDF spokesperson
The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) announced the successful completion of the encirclement of the Tal al-Sultan neighbourhood in the city of Rafah, located in the southern Gaza Strip. On the night of 23 March 2025, Israeli troops killed several terrorists and destroyed the infrastructure of the Palestinian Hamas movement operating in the area.
Details of the operation
“The purpose of the operation is to destroy terrorist infrastructure and eliminate terrorists in the Tal al-Sultan area in order to strengthen control and expand the security zone in the southern Gaza Strip,” the IDF said in an official statement. The operation was part of a broader campaign by Israeli forces to neutralise the threat posed by Hamas in this strategically important region bordering Egypt.
The day before, on the morning of 23 March, Colonel Avihai Edrai, head of the IDF Arabic Spokesperson’s Office, issued an appeal to the residents of Tal al-Sultan. In the message, the IDF called on civilians to immediately leave the area and head north towards the Mauasi area, which has been declared a humanitarian zone. “The Israeli Defence Forces have launched an attack to target terrorist organisations. The area you are in is considered a dangerous war zone,” Edrai said.
The appeal also stated that Gush Katif Street would serve as a humanitarian evacuation route. At the same time, the IDF warned that movement by vehicles was prohibited, and that staying in shelters, tents or houses, as well as using other roads, would put both residents and their families in mortal danger.
The course of events
According to the IDF, Israeli units conducted targeted strikes at night, destroying several facilities used by Hamas to plan and carry out attacks. The elimination of terrorists and the destruction of their infrastructure were the key results of the operation. The troops continue to consolidate control over the area to prevent the militants from returning.
Rafah, in particular the Tal al-Sultan area, is considered one of the last centres of Hamas activity in the Gaza Strip. The operation in this area is part of Israel’s broader strategy aimed at weakening the group’s combat capabilities and ensuring the security of its southern border.
Context and meaning
The encirclement of Tal al-Sultan comes amid an escalating conflict in the Gaza Strip, where Hamas continues to fire rockets into Israeli territory and Israel responds with massive strikes. Rafah remains a critical point because of its proximity to the Egyptian border and the presence of tunnels that, according to the IDF, are used to smuggle weapons and move militants.
The call to evacuate civilians demonstrates Israel’s intention to minimise civilian casualties, but the humanitarian situation in the region remains tense. Thousands of people have already fled their homes, heading for designated safe zones such as Mauassi.
Conclusions.
Completing the encirclement of Tal al-Sultan in Rafah is an important step in the IDF’s campaign against Hamas. The success of the operation could strengthen Israel’s position in southern Gaza, but further developments will depend on the army’s ability to maintain control and withstand possible counterattacks. At the same time, the evacuation of civilians and the destruction of infrastructure once again underscore the complexity of this conflict for all parties involved.
