Gaza Division Commander Reports Control of 63% of Territory, Hamas in Dire Straits
Translated & summarized from Arutz Sheva by baba
The story in 5 lines · by baba
- IDF controls 63% of Gaza Strip, Hamas is in dire straits.
- IDF has eliminated most of Hamas's military leadership.
- 90% of Gaza envelope residents have returned home.
- IDF actively degrading Hamas capabilities and destroying infrastructure.
- Hostage rescue operations were complex and dangerous.
The commander of the Gaza Division has stated that the IDF controls 63% of the Gaza Strip and that Hamas is in a very difficult situation. In an interview with the IDF podcast, Bar the Commander of the Gaza Division, who commanded the Givati Brigade on October 7, expressed optimism regarding the ongoing conflict.
He detailed that the establishment of nearly 40 new positions has provided a significant advantage, enabling forward defense with IDF soldiers positioned ahead of the civilian communities. Bar the Commander of the Gaza Division highlighted that Hamas's ability to infiltrate the Strip has been severely hampered, with the IDF actively working to degrade Hamas's capabilities, eliminate operatives, seize weaponry, and restrict their operational freedom. The IDF is also conducting extensive drilling throughout the Strip to locate and destroy underground infrastructure, having already destroyed most of it.
Bar the Commander of the Gaza Division also addressed the significant damage inflicted upon Hamas's military leadership, noting that nearly all brigade commanders and most battalion commanders within the military wing have been eliminated during the current conflict. He specifically mentioned the recent elimination of the Rafah and Khan Yunis brigade commanders, describing them as second and third-generation leaders.
Regarding the return of residents to the Gaza envelope communities, Bar the Commander of the Gaza Division reported that 90% of those present on October 7 have returned, with new residents also arriving. Despite this return, he acknowledged the profound trauma and the failure of October 7, emphasizing the importance of remembering the events.
He described the military operation in Gaza as complex, particularly when hostages were still present, requiring extreme caution to avoid harming them. Bar the Commander of the Gaza Division recounted an instance where an attempt to rescue hostages was underway, but they were not extracted before a hostage deal was reached. He expressed pride in the decision made to withdraw from the immediate vicinity to avoid endangering the hostages, calling the eventual return of all hostages a tremendous achievement.
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