"In the past day, we expanded the forces' activities, and additional forces have entered the Gaza Strip. Infantry, tanks, artillery, and combat engineers. Dozens of terrorists barricaded themselves in buildings and attempted to harm our forces who moved toward them. We are striking them from the air, and there is direct contact between the forces on the ground and the terrorists. The combat is going on inside the Gaza Strip." Hagari stated.
Hagari also said that the IDF is continuing to operate against terror in Judea and Samaria and that over 700 Hamas terrorists have been arrested in the region since the start of the war.
He added: "We are assessing the situation and are constantly advancing gradually. The offensive activity will continue and get stronger in accordance with the stages of the war and its goals."
According to him, the ground operation does not, in any way, harm the process of freeing the hostages in Hamas captivity. "Returning the captives is the top national mission. Our ground activity in Gaza serves, among other things, this goal. It is also an international issue - children, women, and elderly, Israelis, and other nationals are being held by a murderous organization that committed war crimes and crimes against humanity on an unbelievable scale."
Hagari was asked about footage in which IDF forces are seen on the outskirts of Gaza City and answered: "It is an Armored Corp operation, which is expanding to reach the two objectives that we received - collapsing Hamas and bringing home the hostages. Both objectives take effect, and we are working hard to reach them. I will not elaborate on our forces' locations."
