Press Briefing by IDF Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari December 18th, 20:15

Good evening. Today, the Minister of Defense and the Chief of the General Staff held a joint situational assessment with the U.S. Secretary of Defense, Lloyd Austin, and the U.S. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General (* * * *) Charles Q. Brown Jr.

The Chief of the General Staff, LTG Herzi Halevi, presented the soldier’s progress in Gaza and the plans for the continuation of combat in the next stages. They also discussed the combat on the northern border and measures against the Hezbollah terrorist organization, which conducts terror in the north, as well as Iran's terrorist activities in the entire region. The IDF and the U.S. Central Command closely cooperate against terrorism threats throughout the region.

IDF soldiers continue ground combat in Hamas’ strongholds in the northern and southern Gaza Strip. Simultaneously, the IAF continues to strike Hamas terror targets throughout the Gaza Strip. We will remain determined to achieve the goals of dismantling Hamas and bringing back the hostages. The video released by Hamas in the last hour is an atrocious terror video, demonstrating Hamas' cruelty towards elderly, innocent civilians in need of medical care. The world must act to provide medical aid and ensure the welfare of the hostages. We have a moral obligation to do everything within our efforts to bring the hostages home. Our hearts are with all the hostages and their families at every moment. Chaim Peri, Amiram Cooper and Yoram Metzger – I hope you hear me this evening. Know that we are doing everything, everything to bring you back safely. Some of your family members are also home, and we will not rest until you return as well.

In the north, we struck a series of Hezbollah terrorist organization targets with artillery fire and from the air, in addition to two terrorist cells. In the last hour the terrorist organization fired towards the north, and we are currently preparing an air strike against Hezbollah targets.

In Judea and Samaria, a terrorist shot at an Israeli vehicle near Rawabi, resulting in an Israeli civilian being wounded. We are in pursuit of the terrorist. IDF soldiers continue offensive operations every night in Judea and Samaria. Since the beginning of the war, we have arrested over 2,400 wanted persons.

For more than two months, we have witnessed the remarkable mobilization of tens of thousands of reservists. Men and women who left home, work, family, and studies to protect the State of Israel. This would not have been possible without the sacrifice and support of the families of the reservists, their spouses, children, and parents. We are currently working with government offices to increase grants and financial aid to reservists and their families. The IDF continues to operate the Reservists Assistance Fund and invites you to contact 1111 for any matter.