In a statement released today (Monday) from the Morag Corridor, located between Khan Younis and Rafah, IDF Spokesperson Brig. Gen. Efi Dafrin outlined the IDF’s main efforts in southern Gaza as part of Operation Strength and Sword.
Dafrin clarified that the operation’s goal is to dismantle Hamas’s rule and bring all the hostages home. He stressed that IDF forces are operating throughout the Gaza Strip—both underground and above it—with determination and perseverance.
“The Hostages Are Our Top Priority”
“We’re standing here in the Morag Corridor, the area between Khan Younis and Rafah,” Dafrin began. “The purpose of this operation is to increase pressure on Hamas in order to return the hostages and to dismantle Hamas’s military and governing rule.”
“The hostages are always in our thoughts. This is a top priority for us. Every soldier here—from the regional commander to the brigade commanders to the last soldier—understands this goal.”
“We’re Achieving Results—Above Ground and Below”
“We’re operating in both northern and southern Gaza, including where we are now,” he continued.
“We’ve severed the area between Khan Younis and Rafah. We’re striking Hamas infrastructure. There have been many successes—both above and below ground. We are targeting Hamas’s chain of command and will continue doing so—consistently and frequently.”
“We Eliminated the Fifth Commander of the Shuja’iyya Battalion – No One’s Rushing to Replace Him”
“I’m talking about the fifth commander of the Shuja’iyya Battalion—we eliminated him,” said Dafrin. “I don’t see anyone lining up to take his place in recent days. And we’ll continue eliminating more.”
“Ambiguity Is Part of the Strategy – And We Will Keep Surprising Them”
“From the beginning of this operation, we’ve maintained ambiguity. It’s not a slogan—ambiguity is part of our method, part of our operational concept,” he explained. “We don’t want to let Hamas in on what we’re doing. Now that we’ve finished severing this area—we’ll expand more and more and keep surprising them.”
“Hamas Is Under Pressure – We’ll Chase It Everywhere”
“Hamas is under pressure. We will pursue Hamas wherever it is—north Gaza, south Gaza, and outside the Strip, wherever that may be,” Dafrin concluded. “We will not rest until we bring our hostages home—every single one of them, living and deceased.”
