The Israeli military carried out heavy strikes in Gaza City on Tuesday morning, reportedly in support of a Palestinian militia attempting to abduct an official in the Hamas terror group.

Defense Minister Israel Katz later announced that a senior Hamas member had been captured, without elaborating on who carried out the raid or providing further details on the target. The whereabouts of the official are unclear.

Palestinian media claimed that a “special Israeli unit” infiltrated the western part of Gaza City. In an attempt to secure the unit after it was discovered by Hamas operatives, the Israel Defense Forces carried out shelling and airstrikes in the area, the reports claimed, killing at least three and wounding eight.

At times, Palestinian media has referred to Israeli-backed anti-Hamas militias operating in the Strip as “Israeli forces.” In the past, Israel has provided anti-Hamas militias with air support.

The IDF confirmed carrying out strikes against “a number of targets” in the Gaza Strip, saying it was to “remove threats to security forces” — without specifying whether they were Israeli forces.

No Israeli troops were injured in the incident, the military added.

Speaking from the Gaza-border community of Netiv Ha’asara, Katz said in a video statement that “even as we stand here, the activity of our forces in Gaza City continues at all times,” referring to the Israeli strikes.

“A short while ago, a senior Hamas terrorist was arrested. This is our policy: We do not wait for threats, we pursue Hamas terrorists, thwart them, and destroy their terror infrastructure,” Katz said.

Katz did not provide any further details. An Israeli security source claimed the captured Hamas commander was the chief of the terror group’s internal security apparatus.

Saudi outlet Al-Hadath reported that Israeli-backed Palestinian militias........

© The Times of Israel