Press Briefing by IDF Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari December 21st, 20:15

Good evening. Today, we destroyed a strategic terror tunnel network in the Hamas Elite Quarter in the heart of Gaza City. This is a complex network of tunnels connecting hideout apartments to various facilities and bunkers of senior members of the Hamas terrorist organization, which we revealed to the world yesterday. Over the past few weeks, our forces there have conducted a thorough operation to locate, neutralize, and destroy weaponry, intelligence, and infrastructure. Today's destruction of significant infrastructure deprives the Hamas terrorist organization of strategic capabilities.

Our forces continue to intensify ground operations in northern and southern Gaza. Since the end of the operational pause on ground operations in Gaza, our forces have eliminated over 2,000 terrorists from the air, sea, and land. We have increased the number of soldiers fighting in eastern Khan Yunis and are operating there determinedly with five infantry brigades and combat engineering forces, focusing on underground combat to drive out the terrorists, fight them as they emerge, and drain this space of Hamas terrorism.

We continue to operate from the air, land, and sea across the Gaza Strip.
In the north, we struck a series of Hezbollah targets in Lebanon, including launch sites, military buildings, and additional terrorist infrastructure. Hezbollah has turned southern Lebanon into a combat zone and continues to endanger the future of the entire state of Lebanon for the sake of Hamas and Iran. We are in a very high state of readiness and will continue to act decisively to push Hezbollah away from the border.

With the return to studies and the activities of educational institutions and kindergartens, we must continue to adhere to the guidelines of the Home Front Command. The Iron Dome is a layer of protection with significant performance, we see this every day, but it is not infallible. Therefore, your responsible conduct according to the guidelines saves lives.

We have not forgotten for a moment our moral responsibility to bring back all of the hostages who are still held in Gaza. The Hamas terrorist organization is responsible for the wellbeing of the hostages, and we will continue to demand medical assistance from the world, but we rely only on ourselves. We will continue to operate so that our around-the-clock operational efforts will lead to circumstances that will bring back the hostages.

Amid the many stories of bravery during the war, there are the stories of IDF soldiers, both men and women, who were injured in battles and are now recovering and rehabilitating in hospitals. Some are still sedated and ventilated, some are in a long rehabilitation process, and some are psychologically injured and dealing with the trauma at every moment. The bravery and strength of the wounded, who sacrificed themselves for the fight, are immeasurably appreciated and inspire us to continue to be resolute. We would like to stand by the wounded IDF soldiers and their families this evening, the families who stand day and night by the beds of their loved ones – we will continue to accompany and embrace you all the way.