Operational Update by IDF Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari November 5th, 20:15

Translated readout

Good evening,

We are on the 30th day of this war. I want to address the many families who are marking the 30th day since the passing of their loved ones. We in the IDF remember clearly for what and why we fight. We embrace those who have lost their loved ones. I also want to address the families of those who have been abducted and are missing. For 30 days the murderous Hamas terrorist organization has been holding innocent hostages - babies and elderly, children and women. Hamas is ruthlessly holding them hostage. We in the IDF and the ISA, and all of the security organizations, have not forgotten. We are making a massive effort around the clock, and are collecting every shred of information, taking advantage of every operational opportunity. We will continue to address this with the highest national priority. We have entered this war with a great sense of pain and we are dedicated to win and return our loved ones home.

Today, IDF troops, led by Sayeret Golani [Golani Reconnaissance Unit], encircled Gaza City. They arrived at the coast and the southern side of Gaza City and they encircled Gaza City. Essentially today there is a northern Gaza and a southern Gaza. We have arrived at the beach and they are strengthening this line. We continue to allow for a corridor in order for the residents of northern Gaza and Gaza City to move southward. This is a one-way corridor to the south. We continue to attack with strength and we continue to carry out our ground operation in northern Gaza and the greater Gaza City. Since the beginning of the ground operations, we have struck more than 2,500 targets. Also at this hour, we are carrying out a large attack on terrorist infrastructure both below and above ground, killing terrorists and searching for senior Hamas commanders. We attack with great strength at night and throughout the day, and this evening we are carrying out a significant operation. I want to highlight the hundreds of medical personnel including hundreds of women doctors and paramedics who are in the battlefield, bravely providing life-saving medical treatment during battle.

Today, we presented to the international press additional information, incriminating evidence about the cynical use by Hamas of humanitarian structures and resources, with an emphasis on hospitals. Hamas uses humanitarian infrastructure as cover for terrorist infrastructure, including humanitarian organizations and hospitals.

We will continue to expose to the world the murderous terrorist organization we fight against. One that uses the civilian population as a human shield. In spite of this, we will reach and eliminate every terrorist.

There were a number of incidents in the North today. The IDF struck terror targets belonging to Hezbollah in the south of Lebanon, in response to anti-tank fire that killed an Israeli civilian. The IDF carried out a number of other strikes against terrorist infrastructure, terrorist squads and terrorist vehicles that transported terror squads. The Aerial Defense Array shot down, using Iron Dome, a UAV that Hezbollah tried to infiltrate into our air space. It was intercepted in Lebanese territory.

The Chief of the General Staff visited the Northern Command today, and held a situational assessment with the GOC Northern Command and the division commander. They approved plans for continued operations along the northern border and our deployment along the border which is characterized by a high level of preparedness to respond firmly to any attack that takes place against the State of Israel. Every terrorist squad will be destroyed. Every attempt to fire at Israel will be thwarted and we will continue to operate along the northern border.

On the home front.

I repeat our call to follow IDF Home Front Command directives. Just during the past hour there have been many air raid sirens across Israel. Please continue to follow the directives, enter the protected shelters, wait the appropriate amount of time for the interception and remember that the sounds of interception do not endanger the population. We will continue to update via the Home Front Command website regarding our guidance, together with the municipalities in order to manage life under the shadow of war.

We have informed families of 347 fallen soldiers who have fallen in battle in defense of Israel. We will continue to be with the families during these difficult days and we wish a full and swift recovery to those wounded. We will also continue to support them and be together with them until they recover from their injuries.