The Iron Swords –
The war in the south of Israel
Updated to 1 p.m., October 17, 2023

The southern sector: The IDF continued its activity in the Gaza Strip, mainly by conducting
airstrikes against terrorist targets of Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Several
thousand terrorist targets have been attacked since the beginning of the war. Using precision-
guided munitions, Israeli Navy ships attacked Hamas military-terrorist targets from the sea,
including operational headquarters in the center Gaza City and munitions depots. Meanwhile,
terrorist operatives continued firing rockets and mortar shells at Israel. Two barrages were
fired at the Jerusalem area during the opening of the Knesset’s winter session. About 6,930
rockets have been fired at Israel since the beginning of the war.