Daily Recap: Hamas - Israel War October 16, 2023 (18:00)

Overview

The IDF continues to target Senior Hamas operatives such as Muetaz Eid, the Commander of Hamas' Southern District's National Security who was neutralized, as well as hundreds of additional military and administrative targets over the past 24 hours.

IDF combat engineering forces finished repairing breaches in the security fence. Infantry, ground forces and the Israel Air Force are also securing the area. Over the past day, three terrorist cells were neutralized in southern Israel.

Hamas rocket fire continues to target southern and central Israel

The IDF is continues to prepare for intensified operations in the Gaza Strip

The IDF targeted a number of Hezbollah posts last night after a series of attacks that killed one Israeli civilian and one IDF officer. The IDF is on high alert and has a zero-tolerance policy towards any aggression. Israeli civilians within two kilometers (1.2 miles) are being evacuated to preserve flexibility for a range of responses.

Key Data Points

• 1,400+ Israelis killed 
• 299 families of fallen soldiers notified
• 199 abducted Israelis whose families have been notified 
• 6,000+ rockets fired at Israel

Field Notes from Lt. Col. Richard Hecht, IDF Spokesperson to International Media

Ten days into our war on Hamas, and the stories continue to emerge; stories of brutality alongside stories of heroism. With each passing day, the depravity of Hamas’ attacks becomes clearer. So does the degree to which these attacks were meticulously planned. Field guides that instruct how to maximize civilian harm, huge arsenals of weapons, maps and even GoPro cameras to document the atrocities from the October 7 assault.

Today, we invited some journalists to view some of the horrific camera footage. It’s hard not to look away. But we have an obligation. The world has an obligation.

We also have an obligation to ensure that this never happens again. Over the last 24 hours, the IDF prevented three separate attacks down south. It is clear to me that in each and every case, the terrorists’ operational success would mean more civilians murdered. 

This is what we are up against. And it’s why we continue our strikes on Hamas, with a particular emphasis on the leaders behind these attacks. It is why we are preparing to expand our operation by air, land and sea - to make sure that this cannot happen again. 

Our war is not with the residents of Gaza and we’re taking measures to mitigate civilian casualties. However, the looming threat of Hamas on the border is not one that we can tolerate. It is not one that anyone could.

Key Links

• Pictures of weapons seized during raid (Link)
• Overview of six senior Hamas operatives killed in targeted strikes (Link)
• Aerial footage of strikes on Hezbollah positions following ongoing attacks (Link)
• IDF Chief Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari’s daily briefing (Video, Hebrew)

Some of the Hamas weapons found 

Arena Overview

IDF Activity in Gaza

Israel continues striking Hamas targets in the Strip based on intelligence reports, and currently continues to press ahead with the fighting.

The IDF is calling on the population of Gaza to evacuate toward the south. Thus far, 600,000 Gazans have been evacuated.

Hamas is preventing Gazans from evacuating, and is hiding behind the local population, embedding itself in residential neighborhoods and jeopardizing the lives of the Gazan population.

The IDF's main mission remains to dismantle Hamas, and is targeting its chief political and militant operatives.

Yesterday, the IDF struck about 250 military targets, primarily in Northern Gaza. Overnight the Israeli Air Force struck dozens of targets overnight including Hamas operatives, operational compounds, military infrastructure, military observation posts, rocket launch sites and more.

In one strike, leveraging ISA and IDF intelligence, the IDF neutralized Muetaz Eid,  the Commander of the Hamas Southern District of National Security.

IDF troops neutralized terrorists in the area surrounding the Gaza Strip on three separate occasions. This included one encounter with two terrorists that had anti-tank weapons near Nahal Oz, one encounter with a terrorist near Nir Am and an UAV strike on a terrorist cell identified last night near Kissufim.

IDF engineering work has been completed on breaches in the security fence.

Defense of the region continues to be augmented by tanks, infantry and aerial support.

Abducted civilians and soldiers

As of today, the IDF has updated the families of 199 Israelis that their loved ones were abducted and are currently held hostage in the Gaza Strip.

The IDF is supporting government efforts to return all hostages, civilian and military alike, to Israel, and considers it a chief priority.

The IDF remains in constant contact with the families of soldiers and civilians abducted and held in Gaza, using both operational and intelligence means to gather more information about the hostages’ whereabouts and their condition.

Northern Arena

Over the last 24 hours, Hezbollah has been escalating the situation along the northern border, including targeting Israeli civilian communities and military positions. In one attack on Sunday, an anti-tank missile was fired at the Israeli community of Shtula, killing one civilian and injuring three. In another, an IDF officer was killed by anti-tank fire. In all cases, the IDF responded with both artillery fire towards the sources of fire as well as expanded strikes on Hezbollah positions.

Hezbollah’s attacks on Israel are coordinated with Iran.

The Defense Ministry and the IDF are operating to protect Israeli civilians in the area. The IDF continues to respond to attacks against Israel and will assist in the evacuation of Israeli residents who live up to 2 kilometers from Israel's northern border with Lebanon.

28 Israeli communities on the northern border will be evacuated in order to allow the Israeli military to strike and to continue defending Israel against Hezbollah’s attacks.