Press Briefing by IDF Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari November 24th, 20:15

Shabbat Shalom.

Doron, Raz, Aviv, Danielle, Emilia, Ruth, Keren, Ohad, Adina, Channa, Margalit, Yaffa and Hanna, returned home tonight. Alongside them, 11 foreign nationals also returned.

They all underwent a preliminary medical examination at Kerem Shalom border crossing and there face no life-threatening medical emergencies. They are now being driven and they will arrive at Hatzerim Airbase shortly, where they will be in touch with their families, will complete medical examinations, and from there will be taken by IAF helicopters to hospitals to be reunited with their families. Likewise, the foreign nationals will meet representatives of their home countries at Hatzerim Airbase and from there will be taken to hospitals.

Each and every one of those who returned home tonight is an entire world. Their return is our moral obligation. All IDF commanders and soldiers worked over the course of many weeks, alongside the security agencies, to bring them home.

We must not forget that each of those who returned home tonight still has family members or relatives who were murdered, or who are still being held hostage in Gaza. This is a great sadness, mixed with joy and excitement. The scene of the hostages crossing the border into Israel is a great relief. Still, our hearts are with the hostages that are still being held in Gaza. We embrace the families of the hostages, they are in our thoughts constantly. We have the moral obligation to bring them all home.

We are just at the beginning of the process. We are preparing to continue the implementation of the framework to release the hostages. The days ahead of us will be complicated, nothing is over until it’s over. We must be prepared for this. We don’t forget for a moment that Hamas is a brutal and merciless enemy. More than ever, we must take care not to distribute unverified information. Thus, dear Hanna Katzir who returned home today, after terror organizations claimed that they had murdered her several days ago. You should rely only on official information.

In the Gaza Strip in the morning hours, IDF troops deployed along the lines of the operational pause in Gaza. The commanders were briefed and prepared the forces as to how to act during the time of the pause. The safety of our troops is of top priority. The safety of our soldiers takes precedence.

During the days of the pause, the IDF will continue the preparations for the next phases of the war. IDF troops are ready and prepared on all the fronts. Our policy is clear: we will act against every threat to the State of Israel.

Even during the operational pause, we must remain vigilant and not become complacent. Continue to comply with instructions from the Homefront Command. These are life saving.

To date, we have notified the families of 392 fallen IDF soldiers, who died during the battles to protect Israel. We remember these brave heroes of Israel this Shabat evening. Because of them and the battle they led us in, we will win. Our hearts are with the bereaved families and we embrace them and are at their side.