Daily Recap: Hamas - Israel War November 2nd, 2023 - Day 27

Additional information and thoughts from Lt. Col. Richard Hecht, the IDF’s International Spokesperson, is available in his Substack newsletter here .

Key Links

• The ISA released additional footage from an interrogation with a Nukba terrorist in which the terrorist describes his actions on October 7th, 2023 ( Video )

• The magnitude to which Hamas prioritizes use of fuel for terrorist activities - rather than medical services - is clear in this declassified intercepted phone call between a Hamas commander and a Gazan hospital executive, in Gaza, , Steals Fuel From Hospitals at the Expense of Gazan Civilians ( Video and picture )
• Yesterday the Chief of the General Staff sent this missive to the soldiers of the IDF. A quote is also included below.

We fight as a powerful military, with a sharp moral compass.We are fighting for the values of justice and morality upon which the country was established, against a terrorist organization that committed vile and horrific war crimes. We are fighting for our right and the right of future generations to live in safety and prosperity in our homeland.

Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi, Chief of the General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF)

Arena Overview

Southern Israel

The IDF continues to advance in Gaza City, conducting close combat with Hamas terrorists and facing terrorists with anti-tank missiles, explosive devices and more.  Battles between IDF soldiers and Hamas terrorists continue in a number of locations. During the course of these battles, hundreds of terrorists have been killed and thousands of Hamas military sites have been destroyed. Targets struck include weapons manufacturing and storage facilities, anti-tank missile launching posts, and UAV launch posts. Over 130 Hamas terrorists were killed on Thursday alone and dozens were killed on Wednesday, including the Head of Hamas’ Anti-Tank Missile Unit, Muhammad A'sar, who was targeted in an aerial strike. 

Rockets continued to be fired at Israel, including towards central Israel. 

The battle is advancing according to the broader IDF plan, in gradual stages. IDF forces have faced intense combat, resulting in the loss of life. So far, the IDF has notified families of 332 fallen IDF soldiers, 18 more since the morning of October 30. 

Northern Israel

Hezbollah continues to attack Israeli positions in northern Israel with rockets and anti-tank missiles. 

In one example, a terrorist cell tried to launch anti-tank missiles from Lebanon toward the area of Livne in northern Israel. IDF soldiers struck the cell, as well as two anti-tank missile launching posts in Lebanon. Anti-tank missiles were also fired towards Manara in northern Israel and towards the area of Meiss El Jabal. .

Last night a surface-to-air missile was launched from Lebanon toward an IDF UAV. In response, the IDF struck the terrorist cell that fired the missile and the launch site. There was no damage to the UAV.

In addition, a number of launches were identified from Lebanon toward the area of Har Dov and Mount Hermon in northern Israel. They fell in open areas. IDF artillery struck the source of the launches in response. In addition, a short while ago, IDF aircraft struck military infrastructure and an anti-tank missile launching post belonging to Hezbollah.

Other Arenas

On Thursday a shooting attack was carried out adjacent to the community of Einav. Terrorists opened fire toward a vehicle and caused the vehicle to overturn. IDF soldiers set up roadblocks in the area and are pursuing the terrorists.

The IDF also announced that recently a cruise missile launched from the southeast toward Israeli airspace was detected by the IAF’s control and detection systems. After tracking the cruise missile's trajectory, "Adir" fighter jets were scrambled and successfully intercepted the missile. Later that same day, the Israeli Air Force “Arrow” Aerial Defense System intercepted a surface-to-surface missile in the area of the Red Sea.