Today, IDF Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari, took to the battlefield to show international reporters and the public the unfortunate reality of terrorist-infested hospitals and underground terrorist tunnels in Gaza. Radm. Hagari, accompanied by the reporters, met with troops some distance outside the Rantisi hospital, where a tunnel opening leading 20 meters underground was found under the floorboards of a home. The following footage shows the IDF Spokesperson heading into the tunnel, and exiting it in the basement of the Rantisi hospital, where according to a number of indicating signs, Israeli hostages were previously held by Hamas terrorists.
IDF troops including the 401st Brigade, the 188th Brigade and the 551st brigade continued to operate throughout the northern Gaza Strip. The troops witnessed the extensive use of civilian areas for terrorist purposes and found an abundance of weapons in schools, universities, mosques and residential buildings, amongst other places. A case that stood out was the Abu Bakr Mosque, in which Hamas stockpiled a massive amount of explosives and incendiary devices.
Hamas terrorists targeted our troops throughout their operations. Soldiers from the 188th Brigade were targeted by RPG and light arms fire originating from the direction of the Al-Quds hospital, leading to an exchange of fire. Terrorists exited buildings adjacent to the hospital, hid amongst civilians exiting the hospital, and joined the attempted attack on IDF troops from the entrance to the hospital, before turning and hiding within it.
IDF ground troops entered the residence of a senior Islamic Jihad operative in Beit Hanoun and located a large number of weapons inside a child’s room. During an additional operational activity in the area, troops located a tunnel entrance, intelligence materials belonging to the Hamas terrorist organization and weapons.
weapons found during IDF troops’ activities in civilian areas in the Shati area (schools, mosques, residences)
The IDF and ISA eliminated the Head of the Anti-Tank Missile Array of Hamas’ Khan Yunis Brigade, Yaakub A’ashur, and Hamas’ former Head of Military Intelligence, Mohammed Khamis Dababash
In addition, Tahsin Muslem, commander of the combat assistance company who was responsible for the special forces in Beit Lahia, Jihad A’azem, a Hamas intelligence investigations officer in Zaytun, and Munir Hareb, head of Public Affairs in the Rafah brigade were also killed.
Northern Arena:
In the past day, IDF troops neutralized 5 terrorist cells, and remain on high alert. The IDF holds Hezbollah and the Lebanese government responsible for every shooting that is carried out from Lebanon.
In response to continued attacks on the northern border, IDF fighter jets struck a number of Hezbollah military sites in Lebanon. These targets included terror infrastructure, weapons storage compounds, and an operational command center.
Humanitarian Efforts:
The evacuation corridors remained open for civilians today between 09:00-16:00 through the Salah Al-Din route southward of Wadi Gaza. Additionally, from 10:00-16:00, the evacuation corridor from Youssef Al-Azmeh Street on the northern coastline was open.
There was a tactical pause of military operations for humanitarian purposes between 10:00-14:00 in the the city of Rafah in the area west of Salah Al-Din street.
Gazan residents being blocked from evacuation by Hamas are able to contact the IDF through this number +972 50-341-0322 or the Telegram channel- @gaza_saver
:Hostages and the Fallen Soldiers
The IDF continues to work in close cooperation with the ISA to do everything to return the hostages home. The IDF updated the families of 363 fallen soldiers who lost their lives fighting for our country.
