Defense Minister Yoav Gallant entered the Gaza Strip this morning with forces from the 162nd Division operating in the Rafah area and along the Philadelphi Route. He held a situation assessment with Division Commander Brigadier General Itzik Cohen, Nahal Brigade Commander Colonel Yair Zucker, Artillery Brigade Commander Colonel Ehud Bibi, Yahalom Unit Commander Colonel A., and division staff officers. Minister Gallant received a briefing on the operational activities that led to the defeat of the Rafah Brigade and the destruction of over 150 tunnels in the area, emphasizing the need to focus efforts in the near future to complete the destruction of all identified tunnels.
"Look, I came here first and foremost to express great appreciation. The 162nd Division, with its brigades – the Nahal Brigade we're with, 401, 84, Yahalom, the special forces – this operation is working, people are fighting like lions. The Rafah Brigade has been defeated; the enemy's Rafah Brigade has been defeated by the 162nd Division," Gallant said in a conversation with fighters. "I looked at the tunnel situation; first of all, we have reached the point where we have destroyed 150 tunnels. Of the 150 we destroyed, about 100 are covered tunnels dug by engineering equipment above the surface, covered with a meter or two of earth. They are relatively easy to find afterward because they appear in photographs, and also easy to destroy because you can locate and destroy them."
"There is a small remainder, and we will destroy that remainder. I have issued an immediate directive. The most important thing for me as a concept is to remember the goals of the war, to achieve all the war's objectives – both regarding Hamas and the hostages – and to now look northward. We understand why. This is the situation, and this is the state of affairs."