Press Briefing by IDF Spokesperson, Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, March 11, 2024

Good evening,
I want to address the reports from the last day regarding the targeting of senior terrorist leaders in the Gaza Strip. We are still assessing the results of the strike, and final confirmation has not yet been received.
It's important to update that on the night between Saturday and Sunday, in a joint operation by the IDF and the Israel Security Agency (ISA), IDF fighter jets struck an underground compound of Hamas leaders in the center of the Gaza Strip in the Nuseirat area.
The compound was used by two of the organization's senior leaders:
Marwan Issa, who is the deputy of Mohammad Deif and one of the planners of the October 7th massacre. Marwan Issa is part of the central terror triangle in the Gaza Strip, which also includes Mohammad Deif and Yahya Sinwar.
Also in the compound was Aziz Abu Tama'a. Aziz Abu Tama'a, formerly the commander of the Central Camps Brigade, is currently responsible for all of Hamas's weaponry in Gaza.
And alongside them in the tunnel were other terrorists.
We are still assessing the results of the strike and have not yet received final confirmation - this is due to the underground nature of the target and the complexity of verification for various intelligence reasons. When we know for certain - we will inform and update the public.
Every such operation, you should know, is planned over many hours and days, with several preparations that sometimes require cancellation due to various factors, and this operation was no different. It was based on quality intelligence from several different systems in the intelligence directorate, along with close cooperation with several ISA units. And all of this, ultimately, in a precise implementation by the Air Force, where we have built together a unique operational method.
I want to emphasize, and this is important: according to all the intelligence indications we have, which we thoroughly checked, as well as those available to us at the time of approving the strike, there were no Israeli hostages in the area.
We will continue to pursue Hamas leaders and everyone involved in the October 7th massacre, not only in Gaza.
We have a lot of determination and also patience - targeting Hamas leaders is a central effort in the war.
On the northern border, we are aware of the complex reality of the residents of the north. In the last two days, we struck a large number of targets and eliminated several terrorist cells.
All this, alongside continuing to strengthen our readiness for war in the north.
In Judea and Samaria, all security agencies are operating around the clock in close cooperation as part of the preparations for Ramadan.
Just a short time ago, Duvdevan soldiers, the ISA, and the Israel Police thwarted a terrorist who left Jenin, and was on his way to Israeli territory to carry out an attack in the immediate future, with both a weapon and a ready-to-operate explosive device. We will continue to thwart terrorism everywhere in Judea and Samaria and along all borders.
Instead of enabling a humanitarian ceasefire in Ramadan, Hamas deliberately chose to sabotage any attempt to reach an agreement that would lead to the release of hostages, a pause in the fighting, and the possibility of a peaceful Ramadan in Gaza.
Hamas chose differently. Hamas is now trying to ignite the area, among other means, through the use of false propaganda and incitement - with an emphasis on social media. We are deployed in the area with many forces for defense, and our counterterrorism operations will be intensified against any attempted attacks.
We are acting first and foremost and above all to maintain security but also alongside our desire to allow freedom of worship during Ramadan within security and safety constraints.
In conclusion, I would like to wish a Ramadan Kareem to the Muslim citizens of Israel, including IDF soldiers who observe the month of Ramadan. Wishing a month of security for all of us.