Press Briefing by IDF Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari December 10th, 20:15

Good evening, 

We continue to fight in the southern and northern parts of the Gaza Strip. Following a combined offensive by the Armored Corps' 401st Brigade and soldiers from Shayetet 13 and the Shaldag Unit, the soldiers have taken control of the area around ‘Palestine Square’ in the heart of Gaza City.

This area, Palestine Square, is where Yahya Sinwar's office is located, as well as government offices, properties of senior Hamas officials, and a network of terror tunnels. Our forces, based on precise intelligence, have discovered a strategic underground tunnel network, which stretches from the northern part of Gaza City to the Shifa Hospital area. But there, that's the central command area where senior Hamas officials were also on October 7th and throughout the fighting, and in our fighting, they moved to other areas in the vicinity.

We continue to expose this tunnel network and identify significant infrastructure within it. Hamas invested heavily in creating an underground Gaza, using civilians above ground in the urban area, in an area where there are colleges and humanitarian institutions. They invested a fortune to create an underground Gaza with a wide human shield above ground.

We will expose and fight the terrorists - the terrorists emerge from the tunnels, we will kill them and destroy the tunnel infrastructure. Our forces are fighting courageously and in several key areas simultaneously: Sajaiya, Jabalia, and the Khan Yunis area - these are Hamas’ strongholds. There are fierce and difficult battles, when terrorists emerge from the tunnels, planting explosives, and coming with RPG squads, a battle ensues.

The sole purpose of these battles is to kill the terrorists. Unfortunately, there are also casualties and injuries within our forces. We will continue to clear these areas of terrorists and kill them wherever we encounter them.

I want to address the documentation published in recent days in the media. The IDF forces operate according to the values and spirit of the IDF. Soldiers on the battlefield are required to act professionally and ethically, and we will not compromise on this. In any event that does not align with IDF values, command and disciplinary steps will be taken - this is the way in the IDF.

In the north, fighter jets, tanks, and artillery struck targets in Lebanon. As part of these strikes, we targeted terror infrastructure, launchers, and military compounds - all belonging to the Hezbollah terrorist organization. Additionally, IDF forces struck a terrorist squad that attempted to launch an anti-tank missile into Israeli territory. We will continue to significantly strike against any Hezbollah terrorist activity.

Throughout the day, we identified several launches toward the State of Israel, including hostile aircraft - our air defense fighters shot down most of these launches.

The Chief of the General Staff arrived today at the Northern Command for a situational assessment, meeting with reservists, emergency squad members, and commanders operating in the area. The Chief of the General Staff stated that the return to the communities will be with security and a sense of security, in collaboration with local leadership and strengthening the emergency squads.

On the home front, we call on the public to continue to follow the instructions of the Home Front Command - these instructions save lives.

This evening, we remember that we have a moral obligation to bring back all the hostages home. We will do everything - everything - to bring them home.