IDF Spokesperson Brig.-Gen. Daniel Hagari delivered a statement to the press tonight (Monday) addressing the fronts on which Israel is fighting and the rescue of IDF soldier and intelligence observer Ori Megidish.
Hagari said that: “Last night, soldier Ori Megidish was rescued during a ground operation after being kidnapped. The Chief of Staff and the Shin Bet Director met with Ori and her family. I want to deliver a message from here to the captives and their families: we are all committed, we have a moral duty to do everything to bring the hostages back.”
“We will continue to do and realize every operational, civilian opportunity, any intelligence information we can extract in order to bring about opportunities or ways to bring them home.”
The Clip Spread by Hamas – Psychological Warfare
He also addressed the clip published by the Hamas terror organization showing three of the hostages, saying that “I want to address the clip spread by Hamas. The heart is torn. Hamas is using psychological warfare against us, wants us to spread it and hurt us. Precisely because of this, we need to demonstrate the strength of iron and coolness. We must not participate with Hamas’ mind games, this way we’ll successfully defeat it.”
“The issue of the hostages is not just a national issue and the psychological terror is not just against us,” he clarified. “This is a global issue which touches the heart of each and every one of us. This is a war crime and a crime against humanity of inhuman dimensions. He also added that “a message has been sent to the families of 315 fallen soldiers and 238 hostages.”
IDF Spokesperson: By Order of the Political Leadership, We Do Not Allow Fuel Into Gaza
As for developments in Gaza, the Spokesperson said “IDF forces continue to expand the ground action in the Gaza Strip. More infantry and armored forces are entering into the Gaza Strip. Dozens of terrorists have been eliminated in these strikes in the last 24 hours. The war plan will continue to advance in accordance with its goals.”
He also addressed the northern front, saying “in the north, we eliminated a terrorist squad trying to fire at Rosh Hanikrah earlier today. IDF forces struck a series of Hezbollah infrastructures in Lebanese territory.”
“We are following the fuel issue all the time with all the means at our disposal,” Hagari said, “We exposed the information about Shifa. At this stage, there is no fuel problem in Gaza in the hospitals. We are not introducing fuel into Gaza. This is the decision of the political leadership.”