The Israel Defense Forces confirmed plans to push the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas out of their territory after Hamas fired thousands of rockets and armed fighters poured into several Israeli towns.
Daniel Hagari, an IDF spokesman, outlined in detail to the Washington Examiner that they are fighting in 22 locations in southern Israel as of Saturday afternoon.
ISRAELI MILITARY CONFIRMS HAMAS HOLDING SOLDIERS AND CIVILIANS HOSTAGE FOLLOWING SURPRISE ATTACK
“There is no community in Southern Israel where we do not have forces in all the towns,” Hagari said. He noted there are some communities that “have been rid of terrorists, but we want to finish additional scans of the area before declaring so.”
The Israeli military confirmed IDF soldiers and civilians were being held hostage in the Gaza Strip. Hagari said there have been deaths of IDF soldiers but did not release an official number.
The hostage situations are playing out in two locations — Ofakim and Beeri," Hagari said. “There are special forces there with senior commanders, and live firefights are going on there.”
Hagari said troops are focused on pushing back the invaders coming from the border fence of the Gaza Strip, using air strike operations and hitting them from the ground.
The IDF said dozens of fighter jets are targeting Hamas throughout the Gaza Strip, and they “are in control there.”
“We have roadblocks with the Israel Police in all areas,” Hagari said. “There are strikes by the Air Force in several locations. UAVS, scanners, and fighter jets are striking in the area of the fence. Hundreds of such strikes were carried out - hundreds of deaths, including many terrorists.”
Hagari said that the IDF had begun a "wide mobilization of reserves," bringing four divisions to Gaza to join the 31 regular battalions that are in and around the Gaza Strip and Southern Israel.
“Tanks have also been brought down to the Gaza Strip,” he added.
Hagari said they are on “high alert” in the area of the northern border with Syria and Lebanon that has currently not been under attack.
“In the Northern Command, we are on high alert, there are currently no events there, but we are ready for any event, and whoever attacks us in the entire northern arena will pay a very heavy price,” Hagari said. “Our focus is on Gaza, but we are on high alert in case we encounter any incident; we currently do not have such information.”
Unconfirmed reports say the pro-Iran Islamic terrorist group Hezbollah could be getting involved in the conflict and are reportedly in direct contact with Hamas leaders.
Hezbollah's leader Hassan Nasrallah said in a statement that the attack “sends a message to the Arab and Islamic world, and the international community as a whole, especially those seeking normalization with this enemy, that the Palestinian cause is an everlasting one, alive until victory and liberation.”
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“The IDF is striking all Hamas and PIJ targets in the Gaza Strip. Wherever there are Hamas terrorists, they will be found and eliminated, they have no immunity. We are also striking high-profile targets,” Hagari said. “The Central Command is also being bolstered with regular battalions, and preparations are made for riots.”
Hagari said the reports circulating that Hamas captured Israel Army Commander Nimrod Aloni were false.