IDF Spokesperson Daniel Hagari addressed the continued fighting against Hezbollah today (Sunday), stressing that the price to be paid for the murder of Barak and Mira Ayalon will be exacted down the road, as well.
Hagari began his statement by addressing the fighting in the northern sector: “In the last hour, we struck Hezbollah military targets in Lebanon. We continue to harm the capabilities of the organization and exact an increasing and fitting cost,” he noted. “Hezbollah is a murderous terrorist organization which kills civilians, we will not allow harm to civilians, the cost for this will be exacted not only tonight but also later on.”
He also noted that “we are strengthening the protection of the borders with the policy being clear – we will not allow infiltration at the borders. We will be measured by deeds. We are determined to work to act to change the security situation in the north.”
No Magic Bullet in War
He then moved on to the southern sector: “We continue to be focused on Gaza, where the hostages are. Every minute has critical significance and we are operating at every opportunity and in every way to return them. We do not intend to retreat from Khan Yunis or anywhere else. The military action takes time, it requires us to be precise, and we adapt it to the threats and hostages present in the area. There’s no magic, we need time, and primarily determination.”
During question time, Hagari was asked about the conditions in which the hostages were held, including cages. He responded that “every minute in Gaza for a hostage is a minute in difficult conditions. There are no easy conditions only difficult ones. To be cut off from the State of Israel and the family whether in an apartment or deep in the earth and its our role to reduce those minutes and bring about their return home.”
