He told ABC’s “This Week” that reservists are stationed in preparation for any such government directive, and that these reservists are both for the southern front, on the border with Gaza, as well as spread across communities and on the northern border with Lebanon in anticipation of increased tensions with Hezbollah, Lebanon’s Iran-backed terrorist organisation. The latest update from the IDF said that 350,000 reservists have now been gathered.
Israel said it will hold Lebanon accountable for any activities emanating from within its borders. Over the weekend, Israeli forces have launched retaliatory strikes at Lebanon-based militants, including Hezbollah operations, after the groups launched attacks on Israeli territory.
Israel’s reservists have been sent to assist at the IDF’s Forward Logistics Centers to support combat units on the front, and facilitate the ongoing resupply of weapons and supplies, the Israeli military said in a briefing on Sunday.
He stated that the IDF is currently striking at Hamas in its entirety—from its top leadership, including Hamas commander Yahya Sinwar- who is said to be the mastermind behind the attack that started from Oct. 7, through its institutions, all the way down to the individuals that conducted the “butchering of our babies.”
Gaza Evacuation
The IDF has instructed residents in northern Gaza to move south for their safety. Mr. Lerner said the evacuation warnings are part of Israel’s humanitarian efforts aimed at protecting Palestinian civilians from harm ahead of its all-out military offensive against Hamas to take out the terror threat facing Israel.
Mr. Lerner also said that Hamas has attempted to hinder Palestinians evacuating south by setting up checkpoints and spreading messages for Palestinians to ignore the IDF’s warnings. This reveals “how Hamas is actually trying to put the people of Gaza at more risk. You know, they have no regard for human life, Israel or Palestinian,” he said.
On Sunday, the IDF issued a public notice and urged residents of Gaza City and northern Gaza to relocate to the southern area for their safety, and also shared a map of evacuation corridor for the people. They also specified a safe window from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for movement, assuring that no IDF operations would take place during this time. In its public notice, the IDF emphasized the importance of following these instructions concerning civilian safety in the region. In a separate post, the IDF clarified, that “the world needs to know: we are at war with Hamas, not the people of Gaza.”Offensive Mode
The preparedness is part of Israel’s continuing efforts to defend its citizens now and in the future against Hamas’s terrorist attacks after the Iran-backed Islamist group surprised the world with its brutality on Oct. 7. An announcement by the IDF on Saturday explained Israel’s war strategy as “offensive plan” that will be coordinated from air, sea, and land.
On the Palestinian side, Gaza’s Hamas-backed Health Ministry has reported 2,450 Palestinians killed, with 9,200 injured. Hamas has not differentiated its soldiers from its civilians.
Hamas’s attacks are the worst acts of terror in the region since the 1973 Yom Kippur War.
President Joe Biden has expressed his support for Israel and its fight against terrorism.
