Daily Recap: Hamas - Israel War October 27th, 2023 (19:30) - Day 21

Field Notes from Lt. Col. Richard Hecht, IDF Spokesperson to International Media

A few days ago we hosted foreign journalists for a private viewing of footage from the 7 October massacre. The great majority of journalists were utterly shocked by the atrocities that they saw. But one journalist asked a spokesperson for proof. The understandable response was: “What more do you need to see?”
I actually appreciated this question because it was a real reminder of the blindness around us.
I asked myself: why is such clearly presented evidence not enough?

We all know the truth. It’s not hard. But maybe it’s just hard to believe the reality sometimes. None of us want war, but we must make sure that the 7th October massacre never happens again.

Today, we started to share classified information about how Hamas is using the Shifa Hospital for its terrorist activities. We presented photos, call readouts and testimonies. We have also shown how Hamas is stealing fuel from the people to use for its military activity. We have shown time and time over again how Hamas uses the people of Gaza as human shields, including physically blocking them from moving to safety.

A few days ago I shared about the reality of living in the range of fire. That has been Israel’s reality for over 20 years. Imagine your neighbor launching rockets at you for 20 years.

How can anyone live this way?

We have tried to bring the attacks to an end. We provided water, electricity and medicine even when we had no obligation to do so, we provided jobs within Israel and at times we even provided medical care for the people of Gaza.

After Hamas’ 2007 violent takeover of Gaza we were forced into multiple military operations and have had to invest billions in protection systems for the people of Israel.

But this hasn't worked.

When the goals of two parties are not aligned it just doesn’t work.

Aid is turned into weapons and tunnels, hospitals into headquarters for terror and concessions into terror opportunities.

We are in a defining battle for and that battle is not just ours, but for all who treasure peace, freedom and democracy.

Now we need to change the reality in which we live.

We are going to bring our beloved families home and we are going to dismantle Hamas, hoping for a more peaceful future for all.

Key Links

The official statement of the IDF Spokesperson, RDML Daniel Hagari:

Click here for the full article and additional footage and infographics regarding the Shifa Hospital in Gaza City

Event Overview

Southern Arena

As part of the IDF’s ongoing response to Hamas’ October 7th attacks and to strengthen our operational freedom, in the past 24 hours IDF ground forces, accompanied by fighter jets and UAVs, conducted limited operations in the territory of the Gaza Strip. During this operation, the IDF targeted multiple sites associated with Hamas, including anti-tank missile launch sites, military command and control centers, and Hamas operatives. The troops successfully completed the operation without any reported IDF injuries.

Overnight, the IDF eliminated Madhath Mubashar, the Commander of the Western Khan Yunis Battalion of the Hamas terrorist organization. Madhath had been involved in explosive and sniper attacks against Israeli civilian communities and IDF soldiers. Additionally, during the night, IDF soldiers from Shayetet 13 executed a targeted operation from the sea in the southern Gaza Strip. In the course of this mission, they targeted Hamas military facilities and operated within a compound utilized by Hamas' naval commando forces. Both Israeli Navy vessels and aircraft were involved in this operation. After completing their mission, the soldiers left the area.

Amid continuous rocket fire against Israel from Gaza, IDF fighter jets targeted over 250 military sites associated with the Hamas terrorist organization in the Gaza Strip. These targets included tunnels, numerous Hamas operatives, operational command centers, and launch sites.

The IDF has also published a call that took place during the October 7th massacre between a terrorist from the Hamas Special Forces and his commander in the Gaza Strip, in which he describes the murders committed in the communities surrounding the Gaza Strip.

Later on Friday, the IDF Spokesperson, RDML Daniel Hagari hosted a press conference in which he presented information that was declassified to show how Hamas is using the Shifa hospital in Gaza City as headquarters for their terror activity.
Hamas has built out a subterranean level for their terrorist headquarters and has multiple tunnel access points throughout the Shifa hospital compound. Terrorist hid in the hospital after carrying out the October seventh massacre.

Northern Arena

As part of their ongoing attempts to deflect IDF attention from Gaza, Hezbollah attacks on Israel continued, including shots fired yesterday into Moshav Dovev. An Israeli Air Force aircrfat targeted the cell. 

Other attacks included a terrorist unit firing an anti-tank missile at IDF soldiers near Avivim as well as a terrorist unit in the area of Arab al-AramsheIn. A surface-to-air missile (SAM) was fired from Lebanon at an IDF UAV but was intercepted by the Israeli Aerial Defense Array. In response, the IDF struck these terrorist units. In total, over the last day, the IDF eliminated 5 terrorist cells of Hezbollah terrorists who tried to fire into our territory. 

Homefront

Rocket attacks persist from the Gaza Strip towards Israeli communities, targeting areas in the vicinity of the Gaza Strip and central Israel. Earlier, sirens were activated in the Greater Tel Aviv region as well.