Day 16 of the war.
IDF Spokesperson Brig.-Gen. Daniel Hagari delivered a statement to the press this morning (Sunday). Among other things, Hagari said that “Since the beginning of the war, we stopped more than 450 Hamas suspects in Judea and Samaria.”
The Spokesperson addressed the IDF activity last night in Jenin: “Tonight, in cooperation with the Shin Bet, we eliminated a terror squad which was a ticking time bomb. It was planning to carry out a murderous terror attack within Israel territory. The al-Ansar mosque was bombed. The squad included terrorists of Hamas and Palestinian Jihad.”
We Will Enter the Next Stage of the War Under the Best Conditions for the IDF
Hagari also addressed the Gaza front: “IDF forces continue to strike in Gaza. We increased strikes tonight. Dozens of terrorists were killed tonight. The Hamas deputy commander of rocket fire. We will eliminate all those who took part in the massacre in the Gaza Perimeter.”
Regarding the expected ground attack in the Strip, the Spokesperson said “We will set out with the next phase of the war under the best conditions for the IDF on the instructions of the political leadership.”
IDF Spokesperson: A Question the Lebanese Public Needs to Ask
Hagari also addressed the heating up of the northern border: “We are stopping threats, taking out terrorists, and attacking any attack. This morning, we eliminated a terrorist squad planning to fire an anti-tank missile. We attacked Hezbollah areas and we hit an area which fired an anti-aircraft missile towards an unmanned IDF aircraft. There were no casualties and no harm to the aircraft.”
“I’m not addressing the question of Hezbollah casualties. That’s a question the Lebanese public needs to ask. Regarding our own citizens, the fighting in the north is primarily in the area where there is contact. Evacuation of settlements is for the sense of security. We are in a very significant defensive deployment. We are attacking and dismantling Hezbollah capabilities threatening the north.”
Families of 307 Fallen Soldiers and 212 Hostages Have Been Informed So Far
The Spokesperson addressed the humanitarian aid to residents of the Gaza Strip, saying “Israel is in contact with the Egyptians, we have strategic importance in this relationship. 20 trucks were sent in yesterday, they were examined by the Egyptians and the Americans. We followed them in Gazan territory. We know these trucks have food, medicines, and water. Fuel is not entering the strip.”