An Israeli K-9 unit is being credited with rescuing over 200 civilians while under fire in communities near the Gaza Strip.

In battles in multiple communities close to Gaza, Israeli soldiers paired with K-9s went on several rescue missions that “rescued hostages, saved lives, and eliminated terrorists who had barricaded themselves in houses,” according to the Israel Defense Forces Spokesman’s Unit.

Commanders and soldiers from Israel’s Oketz K-9 Unit were split up into three different companies in order to take a more active role in combat near the Gaza Strip, the Spokesman’s Unit said, resulting in the rescue of several hostages and the deaths of more than 10 Hamas terrorists.