On December 3, significant airstrikes struck the southern areas of the Gaza Strip, shortly after Israel issued a call for evacuation in regions where it suspects Hamas leaders are located. Reports from Al Jazeera indicated that these strikes resulted in 10 fatalities and over 100 injuries in Rafah's Al-Geneina neighborhood, though the details remain unverified. The ongoing military actions are part of Israel's efforts to dismantle Hamas by targeting its leadership and operatives in southern Gaza, following similar actions in the north.

Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, the Chief of Staff of the Israel Defense Forces, emphasized that the operations targeting Hamas in the south would be as fierce and comprehensive as those in the north, suggesting a continued aggressive military strategy. Halevi made a statement indicating that the assaults would have no lesser outcomes than previous incursions, and highlighted the Israeli military's commitment to neutralizing the threats posed by Hamas in both regions of Gaza.

In addition to developments in Gaza, the Pentagon reported an attack on a U.S. warship in the Red Sea, with Houthi rebels from Yemen claiming responsibility, indicating that the conflict's implications may extend beyond the immediate region. This escalation underscores the interconnected nature of various conflicts in the Middle East, as military actions unfold amid rising tensions involving multiple state and non-state actors.