IDF Spokesperson Brig.-Gen. Daniel Hagari held another press conference on the ninth day of the fighting, bringing the public up to speed on the fighting.
Hagari described a series of incidents on the northern front, including at least six shoulder-powered missiles fired towards Israeli forces and civilians, as well as the Israeli response including aerial bombardment and rocket fire towards Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. Hagari also explained that Hezbollah was endangering Lebanon and the citizens of Lebanon, and that Israel was maintaining readiness on both war fronts.
Hagari also listed IDF actions as part of the war in the south, explaining that many strikes and assassinations were carried out during the last 24 hours within the Strip. He revealed that Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi toured the south, moving around with commanders and forces in the field and discussing war plans and readiness in the field for the next stages of fighting.
Hagari repeated his warning to residents of Gaza to evacuate their homes and move southward for their own personal safety, despite Hamas efforts to prevent this evacuation. Hagari explained that the IDF worked to allow the continued movement of civilians, saying that the IDF created corridors for movement southward and that the conditions for civilians’ residence in the south is possible in humanitarian conditions.
In addition, the IDF spokesperson addressed the many efforts made by the IDF and other government and defense bodies on the matter of the captives and missing. He explained that the IDF was operating on a number of levels and in cooperation with the Israel Police and additional bodies in order to build a complete situational picture, revealing that as of this stage, the families of 155 captives have been updated.
