WATCH: IDF finds 25-barrel launcher in Rafah 

Forces from the combat team of Brigade 14, under the command of the Gaza Division (143) and guided by Military Intelligence (AMAN) and the Shin Bet, have been operating in the ‘Tel Sultan’ neighborhood of Rafah. This follows the completion of the neighborhood’s encirclement in just four hours.

As part of the operation, dozens of terrorists were eliminated, and suspects were detained and transferred for further interrogation within Israel by Unit 504. Additionally, the forces located several mortar shells within a Hamas terror infrastructure that previously served as the ‘Al-Fadallah’ school. A launcher with 25 firing barrels was also identified in the area.

Israel continues efforts to secure a hostage deal. Yesterday, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, who leads the negotiation team, met President Trump’s envoy, Witkoff in Washington. Journalist Gili Cohen noted that the meeting occurred against the backdrop of Israel’s decision to resume fighting, with the two discussing an Egyptian proposal that would see the release of approximately five living hostages.

In light of this, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will convene a security meeting this evening (Thursday) with government ministers and heads of Israel’s defense establishment to discuss the continuation of the war and the hostage situation. The consultation, set to prepare for the Political-Security Cabinet meeting scheduled for Saturday night, follows a meeting Netanyahu held last night with IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir and Defense Minister Israel Katz.

The Egyptian proposal follows intense pressure from the United States on Egypt and Qatar to push forward significant progress in negotiations with Hamas. However, political sources told i24NEWS that no meaningful advancement has been made on this or any other deal. They further stated that Israel would not agree to the Egyptian proposal, which involves the release of only five hostages.