IDF Spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said late Friday during a public briefing, "We'll act anywhere Hamas is found, even in the Gaza Strip's south. It'll happen at a time suiting the IDF."
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"We're resolute to push forward and eliminate terrorists, underground infrastructure, and anything that remains from Hamas' military capabilities," Hagari added.
Rocket sirens sounded across central Israeli cities on Friday for the first time since Tuesday following rocket barrages fired from the Gaza Strip.
In the north, four Israelis including two IDF soldiers and two civilians were injured after Hezbollah terrorists fired an anti-tank missile toward Manara, an Israeli town located close to the northern border, and were evacuated to a hospital in Haifa.
In response, the IDF said it struck Hezbollah targets in Lebanon. "Strikes targeted terror infrastructure, a weapons cache, and a military compound. Additionally, the IDF attacked a terrorist cell located in Lebanese territory," the military said in a statement.
Thousands pay last respect to slain Noa Maricano
(Video: Dana Kopel)
Thousands came out on Friday to pay their last respect to IDF corporal Noa Marciano who was abducted by terrorists and later murdered in Gaza. She was buried at the military cemetery at her home town of Modi'in after her body was found by troops based on precise intelligence.
Noa's mother said she wanted to thank the soldiers who retrieved her daughter's remains at great risk to their lives. Her grandmother said the family now had a place to go to and mourn but hoped all other hostages would be freed and return home safely.
The war cabinet approved on Friday, the supply of two trucks carrying fuel tankers into Gaza after a request from Washington, to meet the needs of the UN, enable the operation of the water desalinization plant and support infrastructure in the the southern part of the Strip. The decision passed in a unanimous vote after recommendations of the security services. The fuel will be delivered by the UN for civilian needs and on condition that it does not reach Hamas.
A deal to bring about the release of hostages was advancing according to the Saudi owned Al Arabiya channel's report on Friday. The deal would include the release of 50 hostages in exchange for 50 Palestinian women and underage prisoners from Israeli jails and a 3-day ceasefire.
German's ambassador to Israel Steffen Seibert on Friday, joined the march to Jerusalem of the families of hostages who call on the government to bring about the immediate release of their loved ones. "Do not lose hope," Seibert told the families adding that Germany stands with them. He said his country was working to bring about the hostages' release through diplomacy.
"We feel the pain you and your families feel and hope and pray every day and every night for the release of all those abducted. They must all return safe and in good health," he said.
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German Ambassador Steffen Seibert with the families of hostages held in Gaza
(Photo: Roni Green Shaulov)
Terrorist opened fire on troops manning a checkpoint on the West Bank on Friday one of them also tried to runover the troops who returned fire killing both.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu canceled his planned visit to the Sheba Medical Center to visit wounded soldiers on Friday, Ynet has learned. Officials in the hospital said Netanyahu was likely concerned he would be met by angry protests from the families of the wounded, after his Transportation Minister, Miri Regev was forced to leave the hospital amid such protests.
In an interview with CBS broadcast late on Friday, Netanyahu said Israel must maintain control of security in Gaza to prevent the resurgence of terror there. He said Gaza must go through a process to deradicalize, adding that the Palestinian Authority would not be inclined to make the necessary changes because it teaches the same hate of Israel in its schools. He said Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas still had not condemned the murderous Hamas attack and the atrocities carried out by the terrorists on October 7.
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in an interview with Norah O'Donnell on CBS
(cbsnews.com)
IDF forces in Gaza located a stockpile of heavy missiles and drones in a military post of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad in the northern part of the Strip overnight. Forces also confronted Hamas terrorists hiding in a local school and killed them.
The Syrian Observatory for human rights said on Friday that Israel attacked Hezbollah targets in the area of the capital. the Syrian Defense Ministry said its air defenses intercepted missiles launched by Israel but some caused damage to property.
Palestinian media reported on Friday that three men were killed in clashes with IDF forces operating in the Jenin refugee camp. One was identified as an Islamic Jihad operative. According to the reports, seven people were arrested by the troops.
Azerbaijan security forces recently foiled an attempted attack on the Israeli embassy in Baku. An armed man thought to be of Iranian descent attempted to infiltrate the mission but was overpowered by members of the Azeri national security services. He was arrested and remanded for four months.
First published: 08:03, 11.16.23