Press Briefing by IDF Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari November 12th, 20:15

Good Evening,

The Chief of the General Staff met this evening with the heads of municipalities and towns in the south. This, out of the IDF’s deep commitment to security. The Chief of the General Staff listened to the heads of the municipalities, and listened to their great pain regarding the events of October 7th. He thanked them for their leadership, the leadership they continue to display and committed to continue fighting to achieve the war’s objectives. At this hour, IDF troops continue to strike the Hamas strongholds in the heart of the Shati Camp and to deepen the raids in the heart of Gaza City. Infantry and combat engineering forces, led by the 401st Armored Brigade, raided dozens of buildings on the outskirts of the Shati Camp, and killed terrorists that were part of the camp’s defense array. In parallel, forces from the 36th Division, in cooperation with the Navy forces, raided the Gaza marina. They are currently in the marina and in the areas to its east. Thus, they are fully encircling the area, with forces in the Shati Camp and with forces in the marina facing the east of the city. Troops are locating long range rocket launchers aimed at Israel. These include anti-tank launching pads, tunnel shafts, and terror infrastructure that are being destroyed. IDF troops are working in the field with ISA coordinators and the 504 Intelligence Unit. They are arresting Hamas terrorists who are then brought for investigation in Israel. So far, we arrested 20 terrorists that were brought to Israel for investigation. These are 20 detainees, amongst them, terrorists that were involved in the October 7th massacre.

The fighting in the Gaza Strip demonstrates the full capabilities of the IDF, including an entire reserve division that is fighting for the first time in years. There is unprecedented collaboration between ground and air forces, with the successful execution of dozens of complex airborne operations, including striking dozens of targets simultaneously. We continue to seek out and to strike the Hamas leadership around the clock. These operations include the IDF, IAF, Intelligence Branch, Southern Command, and the ISA. We will reach all of the Hamas leaders.

We opened designated routes from the hospitals in the northern Gaza Strip southbound. We are speaking with the hospital's management teams and are offering assistance to safely transport the sick and the wounded. Civilians of the northern Gaza Strip continue to answer the IDF calls and are moving southwards, despite Hamas doing everything in its power to make them stay. Last night, we offered the Shifa Hospital fuel. During the course of the night we prepared 300 liters of fuel for them, (and placed it) 300 meters south of the hospital. We spoke to the hospital administrator, and are still waiting for the hospital to collect the fuel. Hamas leadership, via the Hamas Ministry of Health, is preventing and placing pressure on the hospital not to collect the fuel. The hospital also requested to consider assistance with safely evacuating the premature babies. We also answered this request and are ready to help. Hamas leadership, alongside the Hamas Ministry of Health, is preventing this and placing pressure on the Shifa hospital (not to accept our help). If the hospital requests, we will assist them with fuel and with evacuating the premature babies. The fuel is for essential systems only and the evacuation of the babies will be to another hospital. Our communication with the Shifa Hospital will continue.

In the North, IAF aircraft are striking Hezbollah targets in southern Lebanon in response to rockets fired towards the Krayot. We eliminated the cell that fired an anti-tank missile at civilians in Dovev. Harming Israeli civilians is very grave. Over the past 24 hours, IDF troops struck four such terror cells along the border. The IDF is focused on Gaza, but we are at a very high level of preparedness in the north. Hezbollah and the Lebanese government are responsible for everything fired from Lebanese territory. Lebanese civilians will pay the price for this lawlessness and Hezbollah’s decision to be a shield for ISIS. The IDF has operational plans to change the security status in the north. The security status will not remain such that the civilians of the north do not feel safe returning to their homes.

On the Home Front, I call on you to comply with the Home Front Command guidelines. They save lives.

The senior members of the General Staff and the ISA are working tirelessly, including for many hours today, investing in operational activity and intelligence activity, along with any operations possible, in an attempt to return the hostages home safely. We will continue with these efforts around the clock, all the time. These processes are complex and take time. So far, we have notified the families of 239 hostages. We will continue to inform the families regarding any information we obtain, and afterwards we will inform the public. The families of 361 fallen soldiers, who fell in battle in defense of the State of Israel, were also notified. They are heroes and enable us to continue fighting and to defend our home.