On the 34th day of the fighting, IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari in a statement to the media: "The IDF forces continue to deepen the fighting into Gaza City, and are hitting Hamas positions. One of them is the security quarter, a central site in the north of the Gaza Strip that housed the intelligence headquarters, the air defense, facilities for the production of weapons, government facilities, etc. We raided this area for the second time and killed over 50 terrorists, we found many weapons and intelligence tools.
"In addition, we eliminated a number of commanders, among them senior commanders from the anti-tank formation which is central to the fighting. Killing the commanders is a significant harm to the forces fighting against us. A few hours ago I accompanied the Chief of Staff and the head of the Shin Bet, and together we entered the Gaza Strip. There is a risk in this, but in this statement that the senior commanders of the IDF are ahead, meeting with the forces and understanding the battle, this is a significant statement. They reach the forces in the field and understand the difficult challenge in the Middle East."
While we were patrolling the grounds, there were others sitting in bunkers
"We realized that the air force strikes are very significant and help the fighters. We will deepen these strikes and continue to operate. The fighting continues, there is no ceasefire, we repeat. While we were leaving, we passed by the humanitarian corridor and saw that it is working. Over 50 thousand Gazan citizens evacuated to the south. They understand that we are fighting significantly in the north and that Hamas has lost control, and that aid is coming to the south."
"While we were patrolling the area, there were others sitting in bunkers cut off from reality and their people, as they let the terrorists die in front. The citizens of Gaza understand this very well, and also express themselves that way."
On the incident in Eilat: "We are investigating, also clarifying where the aircraft came from, also clarifying how the alert was not activated. We will check everything and issue an update, a few minutes ago an alarm was activated because an Arrow missile intercepted a threat from far from Israel that was on its way to Eilat. A surface-to-surface missile that was launched at us. In Judea And Samaria - during the night there was a shooting attack, our forces are scanning the area. We continue the significant activity day and night."
"There is no ceasefire, we continue to fight Hamas and we will not stop"
In reference to the video of the abductees of the Jihad: "A document was distributed tonight that shows signs of life of Chana and Gil from the Gaza Strip. We embrace them and their families, and say to all the families of the abductees: We will not miss a single opportunity to return abductees. The IDF is working around the clock with utmost effort, Every effort we can make will be made."
On the reports of a humanitarian ceasefire: "There is no ceasefire, we continue to fight Hamas and we will not stop. There are humanitarian tactical ceasefires assigned to a time and area, designed to allow citizens to move. They know that in their neighborhood we will not attack or manipulate them, and they can move safely. This was yesterday in two neighborhoods, and today in two more neighborhoods. It's not in the entire area, the forces continue to attack all the time. It serves the IDF, in that it reduces the number of civilians imprisoned there and allows them to move south and us to fight against Hamas."
