Press Briefing by IDF Spokesperson, BG Effie Defrin-July 3, 2025

Good evening, about a week ago, we concluded Operation ‘Rising Lion’, during which we achieved all of our objectives. We continue to monitor the results of our strikes in Iran.

It is important to emphasize – we are in a ceasefire, closely monitoring developments in both nearby and distant arenas, while maintaining high alert.

Operational activity continues across all arenas – in the south, the north, Judea and Samaria, in the air, at sea, and on land.

I would now like to provide an update on our operations in the Gaza Strip. IDF troops are operating at high intensity, professionally and effectively throughout the Gaza Strip.
They are supported by a broad array of intelligence, air support, artillery, and naval firepower.
This is a broad operation. We are operating and engaging in combat across most of the Gaza Strip.

Since the beginning of Operation ‘Gideon’s Chariots’, we have severed Hamas’ control over wide areas of the Gaza Strip and undermined its governance. We are systematically and thoroughly dismantling the terrorist infrastructure, while maintaining a firm and stable hold on the ground.

We are achieving long-term strategic gains and preventing Hamas from rebuilding its centers of power. Our forces have encircled Hamas brigades in Gaza City and in the central camps.

Five divisions - both regular and reserve - are once again operating in the Gaza Strip. The brigades are acting with determination against Hamas battalions.

The map displayed on the screen shows the areas in which we are operating, striking, and advancing:
Two days ago, the 98th Division joined the combat in northern Gaza.
The division is fighting on the outskirts of Gaza City, in the Shejaiya area and the Zeitoun area.
The 162nd Division is engaged in combat in the Jabaliya area. The 143rd Division continues to secure the Rafah area. The 36th Division is operating in the Khan Yunis region. Last week, the 99th Division (res.) also began operations in northern Gaza.

Hamas’ governing control in the Gaza Strip is steadily eroding. Although they are trying to maintain their presence on the ground, they continue to lose control daily, and their stability is weakening. We continue to strike all of Hamas’ operational systems.

This week, we eliminated the terrorist Hacham Muhammad Issa.

Issa was a senior figure in the military wing of the Hamas terror organization, served as the Head of Hamas’ Combat Support Staff, and was considered one of Hamas’ founding members.

Issa played a significant role in planning and executing the brutal massacre on October 7th.
Only a few senior Hamas figures who were in their positions before the massacre are still alive.
We continue to pursue and target them.

Additionally, we eliminated two Hamas terrorists who participated in the killing of seven IDF soldiers in Khan Yunis last week.

As you can see on the screen, in the Khan Yunis area, troops from the 36th Division operated in and dismantled a central, complex underground tunnel junction used by the terrorist organizations in the Gaza Strip.

Since the start of the operation, we have cumulatively achieved the elimination of dozens of Hamas commanders and senior operatives, from the field level to brigade commanders and leadership.

In the near future, we will reach the defined outlines that were approved for the current phase of Operation ‘Gideon’s Chariots.’ From here, there are several possible directions for further development. We will present plans to the political echelon and act accordingly.

We will continue to operate in order to fulfill the objectives of the war – the return of the hostages and dismantling Hamas’ rule.

Alongside the ongoing operation, we are working to enable the distribution of humanitarian aid at the distribution centers, through the American civilian organization.

Despite Hamas’ objection to the aid and all their efforts to disrupt it, the residents of Gaza continue to show up, day after day, to the distribution centers.

To date, nearly one million food packages have been delivered to civilians. This is an evolving method of operation, and we learn and improve from each event.

The reports of allegations of extensive casualties in the aid distribution centers are lies. This is yet another propaganda effort by the terrorist organization Hamas, as part of its broader plan to disrupt the aid distribution. Unfortunately, these lies are echoed day after day.

Hamas’s interest in reinstating UNRWA is clear - it is necessary for their survival, and we will not allow it.

We are facing operational threats in a dense combat zone. This is a complex challenge, and we are learning, improving, and acting wisely and responsibly in response. We draw lessons from every incident to prevent similar cases in the future and implement the necessary conclusions.

These achievements in combat come at a heavy price. We deeply mourn the loss of our best and brightest and continue to support the bereaved families.
We have reached many achievements, but there are still missions to complete. We operate with professionalism and determination. At every step, in every action, in every decision we make, the goals of the war remain - chief among them the return of the hostages. This is the ultimate mission, which every soldier and commander in the Gaza Strip - and beyond - keeps in mind. 

A few words about the northern arena: 

During a situational assessment we conducted this week in southern Syria, I met with the reservists of the 3rd Brigade, who are currently operating in the area.

These are soldiers who have served over 300 days in the reserves. I have seen firsthand what exceptional fighting spirit and morale look like, supported by the backing and support from their families at home. They understand the gravity of the situation and continue to report for duty. Following the Chief of the General Staff’s instructions, efforts continue to stabilize the reserve service rate, understanding the burden and trying to minimize it as much as possible.

Also in Lebanon, last weekend, reservists from the 9th Brigade located terrorist infrastructure and weapons belonging to the Hezbollah terrorist organization in southern Lebanon.

In the northern arena, we are implementing a proactive, forward-defense policy. Just recently, we targeted a terrorist in Lebanon affiliated with the Quds Force who was involved in advancing terrorist plans against the State of Israel. We will continue to operate as necessary to remove any emerging threats.

In Judea and Samaria, in the Binyamin region, I also met this week with the soldiers of Battalion 7114 and LTC G., the battalion commander. LTC G. is currently, alongside his fighters, in his third reserve duty rotation since the beginning of the war. Together, they are operating with a clear purpose: to maintain the security of residents in the Binyamin region. Violence by Israeli civilians directed at him and his soldiers, who are reservists, is dangerous, serious, and worthy of full condemnation. These actions primarily harm the local communities and the IDF’s ability to carry out its mission in the area.

I want to emphasize that credibility is the guiding principle for us in every incident. We will continue to strive to uncover the truth and will not publish inaccurate or false details.

We will continue to act decisively and  professionally, in all arenas to protect Israeli civilians.

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