JERUSALEM (VINnews) — The Israel Defense Forces said it killed five terror operatives in the Gaza Strip over the past several days in strikes aimed at removing an immediate threat to Israeli troops.

The military said the operatives were actively planning attacks against forces stationed in Gaza “in the immediate timeframe.”

The IDF identified the dead as:

Salem Qariqa, a member of Hamas’ Shejaiya Battalion who was involved in building explosives and advancing sniper attacks on troops.

Saeed Shamali, a Nukhba Force team commander.

Ahmad Khallas, a sniper platoon commander in Palestinian Islamic Jihad.

Two additional Hamas commanders who planted bombs targeting Israeli troops.

The strikes were carried out as part of ongoing operations to dismantle terror infrastructure and prevent attacks on Israeli forces operating in the coastal enclave.

No further details on the timing or method of the strikes were immediately released.