Day 30: More than 2,500 terror targets since beginning of war, IDF reports

As the fighting within the Gaza Strip continues, this morning, Israel Defense Forces says it has struck over 2,500 terror targets in combined ground, air and naval activities since the war began on Oct. 7. 

IDF troops are increasingly engaged in close-quarters combat as they move into Gaza City, looking for terror facilities, tunnel entrances and weapons. 

Overnight, IDF troops directed an airstrike on a Hamas military compound containing command and control centers, observation posts and additional terrorist infrastructure. 

Maj.-Gen. (res.) Gershon Hacohen commented on the war in Gaza today, saying: “The ground operation in Gaza is progressing well. Hamas' defense system is collapsing. As time goes on, Hamas will not survive in the tunnels. A ceasefire is very dangerous in every way.”

On Sunday morning, rocket fire from Gaza resumed after a pause through most of the night. There were no reported impacts within Israeli territory. 

Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and former Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison landed in Israel on Monday for a solidarity visit. 

The two were invited to visit by Knesset Member Danny Danon and are expected to meet with Israeli President Isaac Herzog and the families of those who lost loved ones in the Hamas terror attack.

The two prime ministers will also meet with IDF soldiers with British citizenship. In addition, they will visit Kibbutz Be'eri and Ashkelon, which were deeply affected by Hamas' brutal assault on Oct. 7.

The IDF released a recording of the last conversation between Golani 13th Battalion Commander Lt.-Col. Tomer Greenberg and Golani 53rd Battalion Commander Lt.-Col. Salman Habka. 

Habka was killed in fighting on the evening of Nov. 2, while coming to the rescue of Greenberg. 

During the last line of the recorded conversation, Greenberg can be heard saying, “Thank you very much, Salman. I rescued you, and now you have come to help me.” 

Both the 13th and 53rd Golani Battalions responded to the invasion of Oct. 7, and suffered many casualties fighting against Hamas terrorists. 

U.S. President Joe Biden told reporters yesterday that “Progress is being made towards a humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.” 

This morning, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office responded to that claim. 

“As the Prime Minister and Defense Minister have already made clear, a ceasefire is not on the agenda unless it involves the release of the hostages,” Netanyahu's office confirmed.