IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi cautioned that Israel is facing a multi-front conflict, emphasizing that developments in one area could have repercussions elsewhere. He highlighted the ongoing military engagements in Gaza, the West Bank, and along the northern borders.
Addressing Border Police officers in the West Bank on Friday, Halevi underscored the heightened alertness of security forces during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. He pointed out Hamas’ attempts to incite unrest in the West Bank and Yerushalayim.
“We are particularly vigilant this month. It’s crucial to remain highly alert, exercise extreme caution, and maintain strong security measures,” Halevi remarked in a video released by the IDF today. “We’re engaged in a multi-front conflict, encompassing Lebanon, Syria, Judea and Samaria (West Bank), Gaza, and beyond.”
He stressed the collective responsibility of every soldier, stating, “Each one, every soldier… bears responsibility for all fronts, as every incident in one area can significantly impact and trigger developments in other regions as well.”
The conflict erupted when Hamas-led militants launched an assault on southern communities on October 7, resulting in casualties and the abduction of individuals to Gaza. The subsequent Israeli offensive aimed at dismantling Hamas and securing the release of captives has raised concerns about a wider regional escalation.
The IDF reported today that the Nachal Infantry Brigade had neutralized over 250 Hamas operatives in central Gaza over the past two weeks through gun battles and coordinated strikes by tanks and aircraft.
Operating in the Netzarim Corridor, which traverses Gaza from the Kibbutz Be’eri area to the coast, the Nachal Brigade has facilitated raids in northern and central Gaza. The 601st Combat Engineering Battalion, alongside Nachal troops, has targeted multiple Hamas assets in the region, including rockets, launchers, and weapons depots.
Additionally, the IDF disclosed that approximately 15 terrorists entrenched in a Hamas facility in central Gaza’s Nuseirat were eliminated in an airstrike conducted by the 215th Artillery Regiment. The regiment also orchestrated a separate airstrike, targeting a Hamas sniper squad commander and another operative.
Further operations led by the Nachal Brigade resulted in the elimination of around 10 gunmen in central Gaza, while the 7th Armored Brigade, operating in Khan Younis, destroyed a Hamas weapons depot. The Givati Brigade similarly conducted strikes on two Hamas operatives entering and exiting a known terror site in Khan Younis.
The Gaza health ministry, under Hamas control, reported a significant number of casualties, although the figures remain unverified. Air strikes and clashes were reported in various parts of Gaza, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis.
The conflict has inflicted severe devastation on Gaza, displacing its inhabitants, reducing much of the territory to rubble, and exacerbating a dire hunger crisis. International pressure mounts on Israel to facilitate aid access to Gaza, with calls for increased humanitarian assistance amidst significant obstacles.
Efforts to provide relief have commenced, including air and sea deliveries, with the World Central Kitchen pioneering a new sea route via Cyprus. However, challenges persist in delivering aid efficiently, underscoring the urgent need for sustained humanitarian efforts.
Meanwhile, reports of a hostile drone discovered near the Sea of Galilee have raised concerns about potential threats from hostile actors. The drone’s origin and purpose are under investigation.
{Matzav.com Israel}
