From the Liveblog of
Monday, October 16, 2023
IDF says forces scouring Gaza border area for evidence of those missing since Oct. 7
Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
IDF spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari says the military has been carrying out searches on both sides of the Gaza border in search of bodies and evidence that could lead to further information on missing Israelis and foreigners from Hamas’s murderous attack on October 7.
“Forces are scanning for missing people on both sides of the border, trying to complete the effort to find the missing. We are scanning every possible area,” Hagari says.
Hagari says the IDF’s top priority remains to kill Hamas terrorists, “especially those who took part in the horrible attack.”
He says ground forces are carrying out intense exercises in the assembly areas, ahead of Israel’s expected ground offensive in the Strip.
On Hezbollah, Hagari says the Lebanese terror group’s recent attacks on the northern border are aimed at “diverting our attention from the war in Gaza,” under Iranian directives.
He says the IDF can fight two fronts simultaneously, if need be.
Hagari adds that the IDF is “operating in full coordination with the United States,” which has sent two aircraft carriers to the Middle East.
