Press Briefing by IDF Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari December 22nd, 20:15

Shabbat Shalom.

IDF forces continue ground operations in the Khan Yunis area and are simultaneously preparing for continued fighting and expansion of operations to other areas in the Strip, with an emphasis on the southern region.

As we approach the final stages of achieving an operational hold in the north, we continue fighting in the Daraj Tuffah area, along with less intense fighting in other areas in the northern [Gaza Strip], and are nearing full operational control in the north.

In recent days, IDF soldiers have fought in the Issa area in the south of Gaza City, underneath Hamas' central stronghold in the area. The soldiers uncovered significant underground terror infrastructure.

This evening we published footage of a dog from the Oketz Unit from within the tunnel. It should be stated that the Oketz Unit and its dogs are doing amazing work, supporting the security of our forces in combat. The tunnel, stretching hundreds of meters, includes command and communication rooms. This is how the terrorists manage combat and how they also conducted the fighting on October 7th. This entire tunnel was destroyed, just as yesterday we destroyed the tunnels underneath the Senior Officials' Quarter, which had also been used for fighting on October 7th, using 13 tons of explosives that destroyed 30 tunnel shafts - simultaneously, and in a secured manner.

I am providing these numbers and the relevant magnitudes because it is necessary to understand why it takes us time; this is because it can take time to work in a secure manner - to protect the security of our forces. To expose, investigate, extract terrorists from underground, kill them inside the shafts, map the shafts, insert explosives, and ultimately to strip Hamas’ ability to launch attacks against us from their terror tunnel network. This is what our soldiers are doing with great courage and professionalism, as was the case yesterday, today, and will continue to be the case in days to come [as we operate] against other significant [tunnel] routes.

Today, we presented footage from a camera found on a terrorist's body, showing how Hamas terrorists booby-trap homes and plant explosives in residential neighborhoods. Terrorists in civilian clothing arrive pretending to be unarmed and plant explosives in civilian areas in a clandestine manner to harm our forces. This could also lead to their harming their own civilians. This is a challenge facing IDF soldiers. It is further proof Hamas uses civilian cover, turning cities and neighborhoods into terror infrastructure. It is a very complex and challenging [reality] for us, requiring us to be more cautious, to move slower, and to shoot at suspicious locations. We also use the terrorists' cameras in real-time to investigate, learn, draw lessons, and show them to the soldiers; to enable us to kill more terrorists and better protect the security of our forces.

In the north, we struck a series of Hezbollah targets in Lebanese territory and military sites operated by the terror organization today. Throughout the day, we struck sources from which we identified launches towards Israeli territory. We continue to act with force in the north. Unfortunately, as a result of one of the launches today, an IDF soldier fell in the north. Southern Lebanon will continue to be a combat zone for as long as Hezbollah is deployed there and attacks us from there, with the IDF striking it with high intensity.

Today we also publicized the successful interception of a UAV last week, which was en route to Israeli territory. It was above the sea near Lebanon on its way to Israeli territory and was intercepted by a fighter jet in cooperation with naval forces, all part of our operation to intercept UAVs. Not everything is revealed immediately, (this is) sometimes due to security reasons and to enable gathering of information. We're not exactly sure where this vehicle was designated to go, but what's important is that we destroyed it as we will continue to do so against any threat to Israel.

It's important to say this evening that a UN resolution passed a few hours ago and was adopted by the Security Council. It includes a demand for the unconditional immediate release of the hostages held by Hamas and to allow humanitarian access to address their medical needs. We call on the international community and international organizations to enforce this resolution. Even now, on this Friday evening, we do not for a moment forget the female and male hostages held in Gaza. Returning them home is a mission that is constantly our priority. We will continue to exert all efforts to bring them home. It is our duty, and the people of Israel await their return.

Questions?