Israeli Strike Destroys 40 Palestinian Engineering Vehicles Including Some Used in October 7 Attack

In a joint overnight operation, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) and Israel Security Agency (ISA) targeted and destroyed around 40 engineering vehicles in the Gaza Strip that were allegedly used by Hamas for terror-related activities, including the October 7, 2023, attack that breached Israel’s southern border.

According to an IDF statement, the vehicles were employed by Hamas during the October 7 massacre to break through security barriers, enabling armed fighters to enter Israeli territory using trucks and motorcycles. The vehicles were also reportedly used to construct improvised bridges and plant explosives to facilitate the breach.

“These engineering vehicles were a central component in Hamas' ability to carry out terror operations,” the IDF stated. “They were used for planting explosives, digging tunnels, breaching fences, and removing rubble to recover hidden weapons and military gear.”

The IDF emphasized that this latest strike aimed to degrade one of Hamas' key operational capabilities. The destroyed vehicles, it said, had also been used against Israeli troops during recent ground operations in Gaza.

Meanwhile, some reports claimed that at least 45 Palestinians were killed and more than 100 injured in overnight Israeli airstrikes across Gaza. The casualty toll is expected to rise as search efforts continue.