Daily Recap: Hamas - Israel War October 24th, 2023 (19:30) - Day 18

Overview

The IDF continued to strike Hamas in response to their horrific October 7th attacks. This included strikes on three of Hamas’ deputy battalion commanders, as well as some 400 military sites in the
Gaza Strip.

Some of these strikes laid the groundwork for the intensification of IDF activities, including strikes on an attack tunnel and mortar or rocket launch sites.

Over two weeks after the savage abduction of men, women and children from Israel, two hostages were released from captivity. Another 222 in captivity - a blatant war crime - including the released hostages’ elderly husbands. The IDF will continue to do everything in its power to bring the hostages homes.

The IDF remained vigilant on the northern border in light of ongoing Hezbollah attacks. On multiple occasions, the IDF identified and neutralized Hezbollah terrorist units. Overnight the IDF struck Hezbollah sites in response to their attacks.

Excerpts from a statement by the Chief of the General Staff, Lt. General Herzi Halevi

The State of Israel is in the midst of a war that the Hamas terrorist organization started. Hamas will regret this, it is already beginning to regret it now.

Battles fought by civilians, security personnel, soldiers and commanders on October 7th are worthy of appreciation. Hundreds of terrorists were killed thanks to the heroism of those who fought.

IDF forces are currently deployed in the field, defending with strength. Vigilance is still required. I am visiting the soldiers in the field and briefing them regarding the situation. We have been training for this for many years and have developed some of the most advanced combat capabilities in the world. We have the very best combat soldiers.

The IDF and the Southern Command have prepared a high-quality offensive plan to achieve our objectives in the war.

I want to make this clear: the IDF is ready for ground operations and will receive the decisions with the political echelon in regards to the next steps.

We are conducting a war. At this stage, there are tactical and strategic measures that allow us to improve our readiness for future steps. We are utilizing every single minute to be better prepared.

With every minute that passes on the other side, we are striking our enemy further, destroying more of their capabilities. Eliminating terrorists and senior operatives and gathering more intelligence.

We are keeping them on their toes.

Now the enemy is the one waiting.

Key Links

• IDF targeting of a terrorist cell identified firing rockets towards Lebanon on Monday afternoon (Video)
• As part of the efforts to free Israeli and foreign nationals held hostage in the Gaza Strip, the IDF offered security and financial rewards in exchange for information on the hostages. The announcement is available here
• Overview of the five members of the Hamas Aerial Array neutralized to date.
• A statement by Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, the IDF Spokesperson, about Hamas culpability in the October 7th massacres (Video, English)

Arena Overview

Southern Arena

The IDF continues to prepare for a ground maneuver into the Gaza Strip, including strikes on areas that will enable more operational flexibility for the next stage of the war, with a particular focus on Hamas staging grounds in the neighborhoods of Shuja'iyya, Shati, Jabalia, Daraj Tuffah, and Zaytun.

Over the last day, the IDF struck over 400 terror targets and killed several Hamas commanders, as well as numerous operatives preparing attacks. These strikes leveraged the Israeli Air Force, tanks and artillery for attacks on anti-tank missile launchers and observation posts, an operational tunnel shaft, command centers, staging grounds located in mosques and dozens of other terror infrastructure sites.

As part of the ongoing efforts to target Hamas operatives, from the most senior to operational commanders on the ground, as well as every operative involved in the October 7th attacks, yesterday the IDF targeted three deputy battalion commanders. Yesterday, the IDF also targeted the head of Hamas’ anti-tank military array in the northern Gaza Strip.

Since the beginning of the war, the IDF and ISA eliminated five commanders of the Hamas Aerial Array, which had played a significant role in the attack against Israel at the start of the war.

As part of the extensive efforts to free the Israeli and foreign national hostages held by the Hamas terrorist organization in Gaza, earlier today the IDF used multiple channels to communicate with the residents of Gaza and ask for information about the hostages, offering protection and compensation in return.

Northern Israel

On Monday night, the IDF identified and neutralized a terrorist cell that was trying to launch rockets towards Israel from Har Dov. Another terrorist unit with numerous weapons was identified and neutralized in the same area on Tuesday afternoon. In addition, an anti-tank missile was fired towards Kibbutz Manara. The IDF responded to the source of fire.

Over the last day, the IDF eliminated five terrorist units. In addition, in response to ongoing attacks from southern Lebanon, the IDF struck three Hezbollah posts. The IDF will remain vigilant throughout northern Israel, showing no tolerance towards aggression, responding with strikes on Hezbollah infrastructure.

The Israeli Homefront

Rockets continue to be launched toward the north and south of Israel throughout the day. On Tuesday, following a lull in longer-range rocket fire, Gaza rockets were fired towards central and southern Israel, with sirens sounding as far north as Tel Aviv.

Last night, two elderly female hostages, Nurit Kooper and Yoheved Lifshitz, were released and returned home to Israel, with support from Egypt and the International Committee of the Red Cross. The IDF sees the return of the remaining 222 hostages, including Nurit and Yoheved’s husbands, as well as babies, children and elderly, as a core priority, and is continuing to support the government’s efforts to this extent with both operational and intelligence support.

The nation mourns together with the families of 308 soldiers who were killed during the war to date.