Meanwhile, on the Gaza war front, the IDF killed 130 terrorists and destroyed large numbers of weapons that were found during ground operations in the Gaza Strip.
IDF Spokesperson Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari stated on Thursday evening that the IDF has completed the encirclement of Gaza City while attacking many sites serving Hamas’s leadership and terrorists.
Asked to address suggestions of a humanitarian ceasefire, Hagari said no such event is on the agenda at this time, adding that “we are at war.”
“The soldiers are eliminating terrorists in face-to-face battles. In every place where there are battles, even when difficult, we are in control,” he said.
“If we want to see who is behind the war, see the visit of [Hamas senior leader Ismail] Haniyeh to Iran in a private jet and the reception he receives from Iranians; they are pushing proxies Houthis, Hezbollah to distract us from Hamas. We are focused on Hamas, dismantling it and making a major effort to bring back hostages; we will not be diverted,” he continued.
Hagari added that “as Haniyeh flies in his private jet, he will sacrifice Gaza for his personal survival like [Hamas senior leader Yahya] Sinwar.”
IDF troops have continued to engage in fierce battles against Hamas terrorists in the Gaza Strip while locating weapons and destroying terrorist infrastructure and Hamas military compounds.
In addition, IAF aircraft directed by soldiers on the ground struck a number of military command-and-control centers used by senior Hamas terrorist operatives, the IDF said. The troops struck terrorist infrastructure that was deliberately located in civilian areas, as well as military compounds, it said.
Meanwhile, the northern front with Lebanon witnessed an escalation on Thursday, with Hezbollah stepping up attacks and drawing a broader Israeli retaliation.
“In response to the launches from Lebanon towards Israeli territory earlier today, over the last few hours, IDF aircraft struck terror targets belonging to Hezbollah, together with IDF tank and artillery fire,” said the military. “The targets struck include military infrastructure, command-and-control centers, rocket-launching posts, weapons-storage facilities and military compounds used by the Hezbollah terrorist organization.”
Hezbollah said it attacked 19 Israeli positions on the border using anti-tank missiles and mortar shells.
Hagari said that “the IDF will react with actions, not in words. We are in very, very high readiness.”
He added that the IDF is using less than half of its available power and that it is ready for any scenario.
The IDF began expanded “defensive activities along the northern border,” on Thursday, and “is ready to implement offensive plans if necessary.” The defensive activities include observation efforts, patrols and other proactive operations, it stated.
“As part of the offensive efforts, forces are operating in the area near the border. As part of these efforts, forces have eliminated terrorists and destroyed Hezbollah’s terrorist infrastructure, relying on rapid collaboration with intelligence units. The Northern Command continues to cooperate closely with units from across the IDF. The Israeli Air Force, artillery corps, fire support teams and commando forces are on high alert, and are ready to provide an immediate and forceful response in Lebanese territory to any Hezbollah attack,” the military warned.
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