IDF Spokesman Brig. Gen. Effie Defrin shared an update on the military campaign in Gaza, stating that forces under the Southern Command are steadily applying more pressure on Hamas, with a heavy emphasis on Gaza City. He noted that the army is carrying out its mission in an organized, deliberate manner aimed at fulfilling the objectives of the war.
In his statement, Defrin reported that two soldiers who fell in battle over Rosh Hashanah were brought to their final rest: MAJ Shahar Netanal Bozaglo, a company commander in the 77th Battalion of the 7th Brigade, and SSGT Chalachew Shimon Demalash, who served in the 932nd Battalion of the Nahal Brigade. He extended condolences on behalf of the IDF to their families.
Defrin explained that five divisions are currently operating inside Gaza, with three concentrating their efforts in Gaza City. Overnight, troops from the 401st Brigade Combat Team stormed a Hamas facility, where they discovered weapons stockpiles and tunnel infrastructure.
He went on to confirm that the IDF, in cooperation with the ISA, killed the terrorist Wael Mutrieh in the Shati neighborhood. Mutrieh was a Nukhba platoon commander in Hamas’ Shati Battalion who had been involved in the October 7th, 2023, infiltration of the Nahal Oz Outpost bomb shelter. Since then, he had overseen attacks against Israeli forces throughout the Strip.
Defrin said that under the second stage of Operation Gideon’s Chariots, the army has already struck more than 2,000 terrorist positions across Gaza. He also noted that the Chief of the General Staff toured Gaza yesterday, underlining that the IDF is employing its full range of ground combat capabilities, while the Air Force is conducting around 200 strikes each day in support.
Alongside the military campaign, Defrin pointed out that humanitarian measures are ongoing, with approximately 700,000 civilians relocated to southern Gaza to ensure their safety.
Looking beyond Gaza, Defrin stated that multiple Israeli aircraft struck military targets in Sana’a, Yemen, including Houthi command and intelligence centers. These strikes came in response to a drone attack on Eilat the day before, which injured civilians. He stressed that more than 98% of drones launched from Yemen toward Israel have been intercepted since the fighting began, and reassured that Eilat remains protected, while adding the warning that “no defense is absolute.” He urged Israelis to continue adhering to Home Front Command guidelines.
Defrin also addressed the hostage crisis, saying that 48 captives are still held inside Hamas tunnels. He recalled that the Chief of the General Staff had met with hostage families before the holiday, reaffirming the military’s dedication to their return.
“The hostages are always at the forefront of our thoughts and at the heart of every operation we conduct,” Defrin concluded. “The IDF will continue to act with strength and responsibility until the war’s objectives are achieved: the return of the hostages and the dismantling of Hamas’ regime.”
Losing a thousand Israeli soldiers means nothing to the leftist elite running the army and the Supreme Court. Instead of just blowing up every building from the air without Israeli casualties the elite leftist tie the hands of its soldiers. Soon the gazan population will have new housing and that will not buy their love for Israel. Like R,Meir Kahane used to say , “ Israel thinks by giving the Arabs new toilets they will not hate us.”