Press Briefing by IDF Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari December 26th, 20:40

[In English]:

Today, Hezbollah fired an anti-tank missile from Lebanon, hitting a Greek Orthodox Church in Northern Israel and wounding two Israeli Christians.

When IDF troops arrived to evacuate the wounded, Hezbollah terrorists fired another missile at the church, wounding 9 of our soldiers. Shortly after Hezbollah deliberately fired at the church, Hezbollah then fired at Israel from next to a mosque in Lebanon.

We shared clear video evidence of this so that Hezbollah‘s violations of international law are on full display to the world.

Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon follows the same extremist and dangerous ideology as Hamas, firing from holy sites in Lebanon and Gaza, and firing at holy sites across Israel. Hezbollah is committing war crimes by indiscriminately attacking places of worship, just like Hamas. Hezbollah is risking the stability of the region - for the sake of Hamas.

Hezbollah started attacking Israel on October 7th and it’s been increasing its attacks ever since. The IDF has been responding and will continue to respond.

Hezbollah is trying to drag the country of Lebanon and the region into this war that Hamas started. If Hezbollah continues, they will bear the consequences and the responsibility for the outcome: an unnecessary war aimed at fulfilling an ISIS ideology, that could bring unwanted destruction to the people of Lebanon in this war they don’t deserve. A war that the entire region doesn’t deserve.

We are preparing for all scenarios should a diplomatic solution not be found to Hezbollah’s constant violations of UN Security Council Resolution 1701.

Hezbollah is a threat to Israel, Lebanon, and the entire region.

[In Hebrew]:

Good evening,

IDF forces are fighting in the southern Gaza Strip in the area of Khan Yunis, and we have expanded the combat to the area known as the Central Camps. In our operations in Khan and the Central Camps, we are using new methods and different force compositions to meet the challenge. We will continue to adapt our operations, methods, and force composition in accordance with the operational requirements.

In the north, today, IDF forces struck several Hezbollah targets in Lebanese territory, as multiple launches towards Israel were identified throughout the day.

In the afternoon, Hezbollah launched an anti-tank missile that hit a church in Iqrit and injured an 80-year-old civilian who had come to pray for Christmas. Several IDF soldiers who arrived to evacuate the civilian were also injured from continued fire.

The IDF struck in Lebanon and killed the terrorist who carried out the shooting. Hezbollah has turned southern Lebanon into a war zone and continues to endanger the future of the entire State of Lebanon for the sake of Hamas and Iran. We will continue to act resolutely to distance Hezbollah from the border.

Today, an IDF/IAF fighter jet successfully intercepted a hostile aerial target in the Red Sea area that was on its way to Israeli territory. The target did not enter Israeli territory. The firing by the Houthis towards Israeli territory is an act of terror, carried out under Iran's direction and using Iranian intelligence and weaponry. These hostile actions are not only directed at Israel: the attack on ships in the Sea, which have no connection to Israel, is an Iranian terrorist act carried out by the Houthis - and is a global issue.

We announced today the loss of six soldiers who fell in the battles for the defense of Israel. They were all lovers of the land and its protectors. The IDF fallen soldiers belong to all segments of Israeli society and are from every part of the country. They fought together, with camaraderie and bravery, for our common home. We are accompanying and embracing the families. As the Chief of the General Staff said today, we have a duty to ensure that their sacrifice was not in vain.