Friday night, during an operation in the Gaza Strip to rescue hostages from Hamas, two IDF soldiers were seriously injured. The forces raided a Hamas hideout and eliminated terrorists involved in the kidnapping and holding of the hostages. The families of the injured soldiers have been notified. No hostages were rescued in this operation. The IDF will continue to act through various avenues – both operational and intelligence avenues, together with the ISA. Israel has committed to do everything to bring all the hostages home and to obtain information about them. IDF representatives are in constant communication with the families of the hostages and update them with all the reliable information available regarding their loved ones.
The current stage of fighting involves intense fighting on the ground. Forces are operating in the heart of Hamas’ strongholds, simultaneously operating in both the south and the north of the Gaza Strip – in Jabalya, Shuja’iyya, and in the Khan Yunis area. The forces are operating professionally and courageously in complex areas that are laden with many explosives. We are conducting fierce battles with Hamas terrorists that are hiding underground but are emerging from the tunnels due to our forces’ operations, leading to battles and to the killing of terrorists.
Forces are eliminating many terrorists, and increasingly are seeing terrorists who surrender during battle and turn themselves over and surrender. In the last 48 hours, the IDF has apprehended more than two hundred suspects, dozens of whom were transferred to the 504 Unit of the Intelligence Corps and to the ISA for investigation in Israel. Amongst the suspects transferred for investigation are Hamas commanders and Nukhba terrorists. Their investigation assists the continued operations of the forces in the field.
In the north, early this morning, forces eliminated a terrorist cell in the Har Dov area. An observation soldier identified an armed terrorist cell and directed a UAV which successfully struck the cell. Throughout the day, they struck Hezbollah targets in Lebanese territory and responded with fire to locations from which shots were fired into our territory. Earlier, shots were fired towards an IDF position.
Arab social media reports: After a major offensive in the past 36 hours, most of the northern part of Jabalia Refugee Camp fell to the Israelis and the defenses collapse, and residents begin to evacuate. Residents of western Jabalia took to rooftops to share photos of heavy fighting.
במסגרת לחימת כוחות צה"ל בשכונת ג'באליא, קיבלו לוחמי יחידת יהל״ם מידע על הימצאות מחבלים ביעדי טרור במרחב, ועל היערכותם לירי על כוחותינו. בעקבות כך, הלוחמים יצאו לפשיטות ממוקדות בתוך יעדי הטרור וזיהו תנועה חשודה באחד המבנים>> pic.twitter.com/9Um1kU6r2k
— צבא ההגנה לישראל (@idfonline) December 9, 2023
The 98th Division continues to battle Hamas in southern Gaza’s Khan Younis, with the Air Force carrying out strikes on the terror group’s sites.
The IDF says the 98th Division continues to battle Hamas in southern Gaza's Khan Younis, with the Air Force carrying out strikes on the terror group's sites.
According to the IDF, troops of the Golani Infantry Brigade's 12th Battalion raided a mosque in the Khan Younis area… pic.twitter.com/KAKWmw34gp
— Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian (@manniefabian) December 9, 2023
Of course they are surrendering, that way they go to an Israeli jail and get released !!! They’re not stupid.
Blinkin is unfair to put pressure on Israel to worry about collateral damage. (They are all terrorists anyway, as learned from age of 6.)
May Hakadosh Barehu protect Our Dear Brothers in Combat. 🙏Amen