IDF’s 98th Division finishes mission in northern Gaza
The 98th Division has spent the past few months conducting combat operations in Khan Yunis, Zeitoun, and Shejaia, destroying terror infrastructure, and killing terrorists.
The IDF’s 98th Division completed its activities in the northern Gaza Strip and is “now preparing for additional missions,” the military confirmed on Thursday.
The 98th Division has spent the past few months conducting combat operations in Khan Yunis, Zeitoun, and Shejaia, the IDF said.
These operations have included destroying over 1,500 pieces of terrorist infrastructure, both above and below ground, and killing dozens of terrorists, as well as causing “significant damage” to Hamas’s Shejaia Battalion, the military stated.
Among the terrorists killed during the 98th Division’s operations were several who participated in Hamas’s October 7 massacre.
IDF troops operate in the Gaza Strip, July 20, 2025; illustrative. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON’S UNIT)
The 98th Division also participated in operations in the enclave’s Deir el-Balah, both from June 5-10, 2024 as well as sometime during the August 16-30, 2024, period.
Does Hamas still have terror capability?
However, Israel’s Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer on Monday estimated that there are still approximately 20,000 Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip.
If Hamas still has 20,000 men, that would appear to indicate that it has made up for many of its losses in 2023 and 2024, The Jerusalem Post previously analyzed. It has lost many brigades and battalions, but continues to refill the ranks. The new recruits may not be able to replace the hardened terrorists who planned October 7. Nevertheless, Hamas has not collapsed.
The IDF is continuing counterterrorism operations in the enclave, including in Khan Yunis, where soldiers on Tuesday seized terrorists’ weapons and destroyed a terror tunnel.
Yonah Jeremy Bob and Seth J. Frantzman contributed to this report.
