Press Briefing by IDF Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari December 6th, 20:15

Good evening,

The IDF Commando Division, the 98th Division, launched a combined assault on the Khan Yunis area in southern Gaza. Our forces are encircling the area, and the commando forces are currently conducting raids and battling Hamas terrorists. Our forces are striking targets using precise real-time intelligence; the soldiers are battling valiantly, eliminating terrorists, identifying underground infrastructure, and destroying weaponry. Simultaneously to the forces in the southern Gaza Strip, our forces are also continuing to advance in the northern Gaza Strip. The 36th Division and the 162nd Division are focused on the Jabalya and Shuja’iyya areas. It is important for the public to understand that in the past 48 hours, these three divisions, along with another division in the east, have been fighting intensely against terrorists. In the Jabalya, Shuja’iyya, and Khan Yunis areas, we have broken through their defensive lines. The terrorists are now emerging from the underground tunnels and engaging our forces in close combat, our forces are emerging with the upper hand. Our forces will continue to further our achievements in Jabalya, Shuja’iyya, and also in the Khan Yunis area - the heart of Hamas’ terror.

In the north, throughout the day, the IDF attacked a Hezbollah operational command center and terror infrastructure. IDF forces responded with fire to the sources from which several rockets were launched into Israeli territory during the day.

The Aerial Defense Forces intercepted a surface-to-surface missile launched towards our territory in the Red Sea area. This interception was carried out using the “Arrow” defense system with assistance from the “Iron Dome” system. The debris from the interception did not endanger the city of Eilat, and the threat was removed at long range, in the Red Sea. This terrorist activity is Houthi terror activity. It is regional terrorism - directed, funded, and orchestrated by Iran. It is a global problem - affecting all parts of the region. Our talks with the United States Central Command, as we understand, are already leading to the establishment of task forces in the Red Sea and other areas to address the issue. We are on a high level of preparedness in all sectors, both defensively and offensively. 

On the Home Front, yesterday, we received further proof of how important it is to fully follow instructions, staying in a protected space for 10 minutes after hearing an alarm, and waiting until the debris from the interception is no longer a danger to civilians. We must not become complacent - these are life-saving instructions.

138 hostages kidnapped on October 7th are still being held in Gaza. We have a moral duty to do everything, everything, to bring them all home.

At this hour, our troops are battling bravely in Jabalya, Shuja’iyya, and Khan Yunis, to bring them all home. Today, we also notified families whose loved ones fell in defense of the State of Israel, and we embrace them in their difficult time. We also wish a speedy and complete recovery to all the wounded.