As Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza enters its 30th day, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) continue to escalate their ground operations and aerial bombardment. The Chief of Staff, along with a group of Israeli journalists, recently ventured into the Gaza Strip, showcasing the high level of security and control that Israeli forces maintain in the area. Surprisingly, despite expectations of an intensified conflict following Hassan Nasrallah's speech, Hezbollah appears to be avoiding further escalation with Israel.
According to the IDF spokesman, more than 2,500 targets have been targeted in the Gaza Strip since the beginning of the ground operation. The IDF's efforts have focused on eliminating terrorists through face-to-face battles and employing aircraft to destroy terrorist infrastructure, weapons depots, observation posts, and operational headquarters of Hamas, the militant organization ruling Gaza.
"חזקו את הרוח, גאה בכם": הרמטכ"ל הרצי הלוי השתתף בהערכת מצב עם הלוחמים בתוך רצועת עזה@Doron_Kadosh pic.twitter.com/WuOxdh7Z5e
— גלצ (@GLZRadio) November 4, 2023
Four weeks into the conflict and one week after the ground incursion began, Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi held a situation assessment with troops in Gaza. He praised the dedication and bravery of the forces, stating, "Strengthen your spirits; we are proud of you. We are looking at three things. On Saturday, four weeks ago at this time, terrible things happened, and this is moving forward with us." He emphasized the importance of perseverance and unity in the face of challenges, acknowledging the contributions of various units and departments in the operation.
Following Hassan Nasrallah's speech, Defense Minister Yoav Galant visited the northern border with Lebanon for a situation assessment at the headquarters of Division 146, responsible for the sector. Galant remarked, "Yahya Sinwar made a mistake and sealed the fate of Hamas and Gaza. If Nasrallah makes a mistake, he will seal the fate of Lebanon." These statements highlight the Israeli government's stance on holding individuals and organizations accountable for their actions in the ongoing conflict.
״יא אללה עזה, לא חשבתי שאשוב״
— guy soudry (@soudron) November 4, 2023
הערב במהדורה ניר דבורי בכתבה עם כוחתינו בתוך עזה pic.twitter.com/xLzOAhCiAN
In the coming week, IDF forces are expected to shift their focus to Jabaliya and the Al-Buraij refugee camp, areas that have faced heavy bombardment in recent days. Now, ground forces will concentrate on targets that cannot be easily reached from the air, necessitating a ground approach. The Yahalom combat engineering unit will continue its vital work of locating and dealing with Hamas tunnels. Engineers will either capture and destroy tunnels or mark them for later airstrikes by the Air Force.
An official report estimates that approximately 20,000 individuals have lost their lives in Gaza, with more than half of them being Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad members. Furthermore, it is reported that 200 of the terrorists responsible for the October 7th attack are currently hiding in hospitals in Gaza, exploiting these institutions for protection.
מרגש: חיילי צה"ל בקבלת שבת עכשיו בתוך עזה! pic.twitter.com/9vg4moStkh
— יענקי כהן | Yanki Coen (@yankicoen) November 3, 2023
In the northern arena, IDF warplanes have carried out strikes on military infrastructures belonging to the Hezbollah terrorist organization within Lebanese territory. These airstrikes followed several launches from Lebanese territory into Israel, though no damage or crashes were reported on the Israeli side.
