The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) on Friday said its fighter jets struck three senior Hamas operatives in the Daraj Tuffah Battalion. The IDF said the battalion’s operatives played a significant part in Hamas’s attack on Israel.

A post on the official handle of the Israel Defence Forces on X stated, “IDF fighter jets struck 3 senior Hamas operatives in the Daraj Tuffah Battalion. The battalion’s operatives played a significant role in the invasion and murderous attack against Israel on October 7, and is considered to be the most significant brigade of the Hamas terrorist organisation.”

Based on precise IDF and ISA intelligence, IDF fighter jets struck 3 senior Hamas operatives in the Daraj Tuffah Battalion.

The battalion’s operatives played a significant role in the invasion and murderous attack against Israel on October 7, and is considered to be the most… pic.twitter.com/WOnmE2Cv3O

— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) October 26, 2023

The Israeli Air Forces said the Hamas operatives were eliminated under the precise intelligence guidance of the Israel Security Agency Shin Bet.

“The IDF, under the precise intelligence guidance of the Shin Bet and the Amman, eliminated the commander of the Darj Tafah battalion of the terrorist organization Hamas, Rafat Abbas, his deputy, Ebrahim Jedeva, and the commander of combat and administrative assistance, Tarek Maruf, using fighter jets. All three are terrorists. Veterans of the organization who participated in previous campaigns against Israel,” the Israeli Air Force posted from its official handle on X

“The Darj Tafah Battalion is a battalion in the Gaza City Brigade, which is considered the most significant brigade of the terrorist organization Hamas. The battalion’s terrorists took a significant part in the murderous massacre on October 7,” the Israeli Air Force added in its post.

On Thursday, the IDF said the deputy head of Hamas’s intelligence directorate, Shadi Barud, had been killed in an aerial strike.

According to IDF, he was involved in the planning of Hamas’s October 7 attack on Israel.

The IDF posted from its X handle, “Shadi Barud, Deputy Head of Hamas’ Intelligence Directorate has been eliminated by an IDF aerial strike. He took part in the planning of the October 7 massacre and countless other deadly attacks carried out against Israelis. We will continue to strike and eliminate Hamas leaders and operatives responsible for the barbaric attacks.”

Meanwhile, a rocket launched from the Gaza Strip has landed near a highway near Rehovot in central Israel, setting fire to a utility pole. Reports of widespread power outages in the area have emerged.

According to medics, no physical injuries have been caused, The Times of Israel reported.

On Thursday, IDF spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said the Israel Defence Forces will continue ground raids into Gaza in the coming days to prepare for the next stages in the ongoing conflict against Hamas, according to CNN.

Hagari noted that the aim of Israel’s ground operations is to kill Hamas terrorists, lay the foundations for an all-out invasion and neutralise explosive devices and reconnaissance posts, CNN reported.

His remarks come after the IDF conducted a “targeted raid” overnight in northern Gaza using tanks.

He said the IDF continues to conduct strikes against Gaza from air and sea, and is focusing on killing senior Hamas commanders and the infrastructure of Hamas.

When Kyle Green and his partner learned a gunman had just gone on a shooting spree near their home in Lewiston, Maine, they slowly lowered the blinds and told their children it was movie night. Locking all the doors, they sat down in front of a screen in a darkened upstairs bedroom with their two dogs and dozing kids, ages 10 and 12, following the shooting deaths of at least 18 people at a bowling alley and bar-restaurant.

With the suspect still on the run, Green, a 40-year-old software engineer who spoke to AFP in front of his house, said he and his partner “took turns” sleeping, in order to keep watch until the morning.

“Where is he now? Is he here? That’s a terrible feeling,” Green said, clearing his throat to hide emotion.

Like many of his neighbors on his quiet, tree-lined street, he is struggling to process what happened.

On Thursday, Lewiston was practically a ghost town, with residents ordered to stay indoors and schools closed following the Wednesday evening shooting rampage.

A high school parking lot was taken over by police officers in fatigues, armed to the teeth. Streets near the targeted establishments were cordoned off with crime scene tape.

Pharmacies, restaurants and the overwhelming majority of businesses were closed. A few cars passed by from time to time, but the trash has not been collected and no children play outside on slides and swings. 

A sign in the city center flashes the message: “Shelter in place.”

Debra Wright was just sitting down to eat Wednesday evening when she heard police and ambulance sirens wailing. Schemengees, the bar restaurant targeted by the shooter, is just a three-minute drive from her home.

“When we found out I was terrified,” the 71-year-old told AFP from behind the wheel of her car.

“You know, Maine isn’t usually like this. I’ve lived here all my life,” she said, adding “I will never feel safe like I have.”

Since she will probably spend the night alone at home, Wright said she couldn’t help but be worried but was reassured by the thought that she had deadbolts installed on her doors. 

Plus, “I have my dogs in my house,” she said.

In this normally quiet city, the shootings came as a shock.

“It’s different when this type of tragedy happens in your hometown,” Anthony Nadeau, a 45-year-old state employee who had just finished smoking a cigarette on his porch, told AFP.

He is friends with the owners of the bowling alley, Just-in-Time, and has spent many an evening at Schemengees.

He added that “Maine and a lot of states… could do a little bit more considering the history of gun violence in the United States.”

Green, who staged the movie night with his family, is not optimistic.

“I’d love to tell you that maybe this is the one that spurs some sort of action,” he said, but then added: “It won’t be.” 

“It will be treated like every other mass casualty event.”

Director Alphonse Puthren paid homage to Ilayaraaja on Twitter and hinted at forthcoming collaborations with the iconic composer. He shared a video that showcased his perspective as a musician, featuring himself in an autorickshaw and entering a recording studio. The video ended with a shot of Ilayaraaja waving inside the recording room. Alphonse had previously announced their collaboration and referred to Ilayaraaja as the “Raaja of Tamil Music.” Fans eagerly await the musical and cinematic experience that this partnership will bring. Alphonse’s latest film, “Gold,” received mixed reviews, and audiences are anticipating his comeback with a remarkable film.