Press Briefing by IDF Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari December 4th, 20:15

Good evening.
IDF soldiers in the Gaza Strip are continuing to expand their ground operations. Today, fighter jets struck across the Gaza Strip. These were very significant, precise, and intelligence-based strikes. In addition, we are expanding our ground operations against Hamas strongholds throughout the Gaza Strip. Today, ground forces along with the Air Force completed a number of joint missions which led to the elimination of terrorists and terrorist infrastructure.

Ground forces operate in the field, the terrorists emerge from the shafts, from the tunnels, the Air Force strikes, and that’s how we continue having forces assisting other forces. Our forces are operating with determination, courage, and professionalism and are striking numerous terrorists. The forces move from building to building, from tunnel to tunnel, and do not enter into areas rigged with explosives. First, they lay charges and secure themselves. This is how they operate securely. However, these are battles that also involve close-quarter fighting, and there are also casualties. But I want to emphasize this, our forces are determined to kill the terrorists, to win every battle and to continue to do so in every place that will be required, in Shejayia, in Jabalya, and in every stronghold where we encounter the enemy.

Today, the Chief of the General Staff held a situational assessment with the commanders and soldiers inside the Gaza Strip. He heard the operational conclusions from the fighters in the battles against the strongholds. He gave instructions to the soldiers, especially in light of recent events in combat, in order to decide how to operationally respond best in the field. This was also discussed today in the situational assessment of the General Staff here at the Kirya.

In the north, today fighter jets and UAVs struck an operational command center, terror infrastructure, and military structures belonging to Hezbollah in Lebanese territory. IDF forces struck with artillery the sources of launches fired toward the State of Israel.

On the homefront, I once more call on the public to show alertness and to follow the updated instructions of the Home Front Command - they save lives. We may encounter this in the north, in the center, and also in the south.

137 hostages, who were abducted on October 7th, are still being held in Gaza. Today, the President of the Red Cross arrived in Gaza. She came through Egypt and returned back to Egypt. The Red Cross greatly assisted in the extraction of the hostages during the operational pause. We continue to demand international organizations around the world ensure the well-being of our hostages and to assist with medicines and the required medical response. This is a basic demand for every international organization in the world to implement this.

We have a moral obligation to continue to do everything, make every effort, to bring everyone home. We are supporting the families and will continue to update them with every piece of information we have.