Click to see full-size image. (The Israeli Defense Forces)
A senior officer in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) Southern Command vowed that troops will respond to any attempt at harming them amid the temporary ceasefire in the Gaza Strip, while they prepare for the resumption of fighting.
The ceasefire, which was brokered by the United States, Egypt and Qatar, started on November 24 morning and is expected to last for four days.
“Anyone who poses a threat to our forces will be hit. The security of our forces is a top priority, that’s how we behaved and that’s how we will continue to behave,” the officer said, according to The Times of Israel.
The officer noted that the IDF’s ground offensive “and the operational achievements put pressure on Hamas and its leadership, and served as a necessary tool to create conditions for the implementation of the plan to return some of the hostages.”
“We will use most of the time for the sake of readiness and planning the tasks expected of us immediately after the end of the truce. We are preparing to continue attacking with all our strength immediately after the end of the truce,” he added.
The IDF had warned Palestinians against returning to their homes in northern Gaza ahead of the ceasefire. Several civilians who attempted to do so after the ceasefire came into effect were shot. The Associated Press reported that two were killed and at least 11 others were wounded.
The main aim of the temporary ceasefire is to facilitate the release of 50 Israeli hostages held by Hamas in Gaza in exchange for some 150 Palestinians prisoners in Israeli jails.
In a statement, the IDF said that it completed preparations for the reception of the first group of 13 hostages set to be released on November 24 afternoon from the Strip, in an operation dubbed “Heaven’s Door.”
Once released from Gaza via Egypt, the hostages will be brought by the IDF to Hatzerim Air Base in southern Israel for an initial reception. They will remain for up to two hours at the air base before being taken to a hospital, either by helicopter or minibus. Those who need immediate medical attention will be taken straight from the border to a hospital, without going to Hatzerim.
Meanwhile, Hebrew media reported that Red Cross representatives have arrived with a bus at Ofer Prison in the West Bank to pick up the 39 Palestinian prisoners set to be released by Israel in exchange for the first group of hostages.
The prisoners were all brought to Ofer ahead of their expected release in the afternoon, and are currently being processed.
Despite the deadly shooting in northern Gaza in the morning, the ceasefire appears to be holding up. Hamas and other armed factions suspended all operations. The IDF also halted strikes and pulled troops out from some contested areas, including the Shifa Hospital complex in Gaza City.
if one these zionists were standing next to me, i’d find it real difficult to look at them as a fellow human being.
israeli terrorists.
now it’s a crime return to own homes??? where is the international justice court now?
hmmm
“target anyone who poses a threat”….especially all those pesky unarmed women and children. well isn’t is obvious why the israelis continue to slaughter thousands of unarmed women and children? obviously, the women can have babies and the children might grow up and the whole point of the execise is to exterminate them all…