Press Briefing by IDF Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari November 7th, 20:40

Good evening. Today we are marking a month since the beginning of the war. On the morning of October 7th, Hamas carried out a cruel terror attack. Hamas terrorists committed crimes against humanity. Many families were ripped apart, losing what is dearest to them. We have mourned children, brothers and parents. 240 kidnapped were taken from their families and from their homes. We do not forget what happened and will continue to remind the world of the massacre that happened and continue to tell the world that Hamas is responsible. Hamas that is worse than ISIS.

From the depths of pain, the IDF went to war with full force. The IDF commanders take full responsibility for what happened and we will continue to investigate what happened. But now, we are at war. War for our home. We are focused on dismantling Hamas and are making the greatest efforts to return the hostages. We carry the responsibility for their return as a heavy burden and we will do everything, everything to bring them home. The strength of the IAF, the navy, the precise intelligence of the military intelligence, and the ISA, alongside the infantry, who are in a ground operation deep inside Gaza City, are together, placing heavy pressure on Hamas.

So far, this month, we’ve attacked over 14,000 terror targets. We have killed many Hamas commanders, of various ranks. We have destroyed over 100 tunnel openings leading to terror tunnels, over 4,000 weapons, many of which were hidden in mosques, kindergartens and residential buildings - testifying to the cynical use of civilians as human shields by Hamas. We have successes, but there is still a long journey ahead. Hamas terrorists are telling themselves there will be a ceasefire. There is no ceasefire. We continue moving forward. We are focused on our offensive in Gaza. That said, we are working in parallel on each of the fronts. We are at a high level of preparedness in the North. In Judea and Samaria we are thwarting attempts at terror attacks and in the Red Sea we are prepared to defend against any scenario. The IDF is highly prepared and is ready to strike hard on any front in any area, against any threat, when needed.

I also wish to inform the public that we are conducting a few adjustments to the Home Front Command apps. This comes in response to requests made by the public and tonight we are working on it. I call upon you to use the various platforms to get the updates. Your compliance with the Home Front Commands helps keep maintain routine under the shadow of the war and to minimize civilian casualties.

I talk a lot to the soldiers and commanders in the field. Day after day, they prove their heroism and courage. Day in, day out.

This war is taking a heavy toll. We have lost some of our finest young men and women. So far, we have notified the families of 348 fallen IDF soldiers who perished in battles defending the State of Israel. Added to that number are 59 members of the Israeli Police Forces and 10 service members in the ISA. With them are many citizens who fell courageously in the communities around Gaza. May their memories be blessed. We carry them with us. We remember them. We remember the responsibility that we are left with. We remember our obligation. We remember the reason why we fight. We fight for them.

The days of fighting left many injured and I want to wish all the injured a speedy recovery and that we await their return.
Over the past month, the IDF has been fighting with full force, with our secret being our manpower. Our people, the IDF soldiers on active and reserve duty are united behind one purpose - the defense of the State of Israel. The fighting is led by combat commanders, from the Chief of Staff and down to the last soldier in the field. They all fight with determination and professionalism to accomplish the missions. With the war being on different fronts, the IDF soldiers have a strong home front, without which it would be hard to imagine going to battle. I wish to say a few words to that home front: I wish to thank and to express gratitude to the family members. The partners and children of the IDF soldiers and security forces on active and reserve duty, without you and your strength, we would not be able to accomplish our mission on the battlefield. I wish to say a few words also to the citizens of the North and of the South on behalf of the IDF. Your steadfastness gives us the ability to accomplish our mission which is to bring security to our borders.

I will now answer questions.