IDF Spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari delivered a statement to the media this morning (Sunday) in which he addressed the elimination of Hezbollah terrorist cells in the north and the IDF's increasing ground incursions into Gaza.
"Throughout the night, we expanded the entry of IDF troops into the Gaza Strip. They joined the forces already fighting there," Hagaru said.
He continued: "The ground operations in the northern Gaza Strip continue. We are progressing through the stages of the war according to plan. We are gradually expanding the ground activity and the scope of our forces in the Gaza Strip. The operations on the ground are complex and include risks to our forces. We will do everything we can from the air, sea and land to ensure the safety of our forces and achieve the goals of the war."
"In response to the fire from Lebanon toward the northern border, during the night we struck military targets, infrastructure and posts belonging to the Hezbollah terrorist organization. The Hezbollah terrorist organization continues to operate against us in the north and we are striking all those who are acting against us. Any Hezbollah terrorist cell that comes near the fence will be struck.
He also said that "so far, we have notified the families of 311 fallen IDF soldiers, as well as the families of 230 hostages. We are embracing the families. We will continue to accompany them at all times.
We are doing everything we can to return the hostages home - this is our ultimate goal. IDF soldiers are fighting in the field at this very time in order to achieve this goal."
Speaking of the intelligence failures that led to Israel being caught unawares during the Hamas massacre of October 7, Hagari said: "We in the IDF and the ISA will conduct a thorough investigation ourselves and present everything to the public because we are built on public trust and therefore we will present everything. Now we are fighting, focused on the war. That is my answer."
Addressing the IDF's recruitment cycles, which were temporarily disrupted by the outbreak of the war, he said: "Today, a new course of field observers drafted into the IDF. We witnessed the bravery of field observers during the surprise attack on October 7th. Observation soldiers play a very significant and important role in maintaining the security of Israeli civilians. They are deployed in defending all the country’s borders."
"In the coming month, we intend to continue the November enlistment as usual, including the enlistment of combat soldiers. We will make the necessary adjustments so that all enlistments take place as planned, and that the building of the IDF’s strength will continue even in the shadow of the war."
Last night, Hagari stated that Hamas leader Yahya "Sinwar cannot issue announcements. This is psychological terrorism by Hamas whose goal is to manipulate the State of Israel. Nothing was on the table."
On the possibility of Israel attacking the Shifa hospital in Gaza, which has become a haven for Hamas terrorists, Hagari said, "All options are on the table".