Israeli soldiers raid luxury homes of Hamas terrorists and unearth 35 tunnel shafts hiding weapons and 'psychological warfare' documents

Israeli forces have raided the luxury homes of Hamas terrorists and seized weapons and located at least 35 tunnel shafts.

Paratroopers from the Nihal Brigade backed up with tanks, airforce jets and armed with rocket launchers launched a series of raids in the heart of Gaza city.

Six weeks into the war against Hamas after the attacks left more than 1,200 people dead on October 7, they carried out operations in the Sheikh Ejlin and Rimal neighbourhoods.

Officials said the areas were 'upmarket' and where senior figures in the terror group lived and footage released showed soldiers attacking buildings with tanks and rocket propelled grenades.

Following the operation, items seized were put on display and they included guns, ammunition, rockets and lap tops and other documents which were being examined by intelligence chiefs.

In addition, 35 tunnel shafts were discovered and a training camp used by Hamas military intelligence was also stormed with 'several terrorists' killed.

The Rimal neighbourhood is considered the luxury district of the Gaza Strip, where senior commanders of Hamas lived and used the civilian space for activity and directing terrorism.

Within the area there are also military posts and government buildings.

IDF forces from the Nahal Brigade located a terrorist squad that was about to fire on the troops from the roof of an apartment and a jet was called in to strafe the building.

A major from the Brigade said: 'During searches of the Rimal area, we located a large number of weapons belonging to Hamas terrorists, including laptops, memory devices and technical documents.

'Other combat items including uniforms and shirts, knee pads and ammunition.

'Many of the documents contain details on psychological warfare and information about IDF and how to carry out ambushes.'

IDF officials said its forces were working through the northern Gaza Strip and focusing on Jabaliya, Zeytun and Beit Lahia and navy ships were also used to pound the area from the sea.

Israel says more than 372 soldiers have been killed since October 7 with 52 dying since the ground operation started last month with the death toll in Gaza more than 12,000.