Telaviv: Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced the seizure of a strategic Hamas harbor base in central Gaza. The operation involved navy, armor, and engineering forces, supported by the air force, resulting in the destruction of around ten tunnel shafts and four buildings associated with terrorist infrastructure, according to the IDF.

The Hamas facility served as a training ground for naval forces and a command center for naval attacks. The IDF reported that Hamas exploited the civilian naval anchorage's cover for training and executing attacks, utilizing civilian vessels and Gaza's naval police boats.

During the operation, Israeli forces eliminated ten terrorists and cleared all buildings within the anchorage area. Additionally, a monument commemorating the 2010 Mavi Marmara raid events was toppled. Some Israeli Navy's 13th flotilla fighters, involved in capturing the harbor, had previously participated in the Mavi Marmara incident.

In 2010, the Israeli Navy intercepted a six-ship flotilla attempting to symbolically break the Gaza blockade. Violent clashes occurred aboard the Mavi Marmara, resulting in the death of ten Turkish Islamists. The incident led to a deterioration of diplomatic ties between Israel and Turkey.

Since Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007, the Israeli Navy has thwarted attempts to smuggle Iranian weapons to the Strip by sea on multiple occasions.