Bombs in Kid's Backpacks

An ambush averted

In this email I cover an ambush that our forces just averted, details on three hostages whose remains were recovered, and some operational updates. If this is your first time reading this, let me invite you to subscribe and continue to get updates directly from the IDF.

Lt. Col. Richard Hecht, IDF Spokesperson

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Imagine you're a soldier in Gaza.

It's day seventy of the war. You've been home two, maybe three times, each time for just a day or two.

You’re intent on doing exactly what the military set out to do - dismantle Hamas and bring home our hostages.

This is a war zone in a incredibly densely populated area. And since you're so alert - after all, anything can happen - you hear it loud and clear.

A child's voice.

In Hebrew.

You come closer. You see children's backpacks. Children's clothing. There are over one hundred hostages still held in Gaza, including children, and this is exactly what you're there for.

Suddenly, the world erupts in smoke and fire around you.

Explosives are detonated.

Sniper fire floods from windows above.

It's an ambush, tapping into the refrain marching through every IDF soldier’s head.

Bring home our abducted soldiers.

This cruel ambush is exactly what Hamas terrorists tried to do.

It didn’t work.

A Failed (and Cruel) Ambush

While operating in northern Gaza, near Beit Lahiya, an IDF reserve force from the 261st Brigade,were able to identify an ambush that tried to lure in IDF forces.

The terrorists intended to detonate an explosive device, driving forces into a courtyard. Once in the courtyard, terrorists in two elevated sniper positions overlooking the courtyard were stationed and ready to open fire. Explosive devices were also concealed in bags around the courtyard, ready to detonate if any troops would try to take cover there.

And bringing it all together was booby-trapped children’s bags and dolls…and a speaker playing sounds of kids songs and children talking in Hebrew.

That’s not all.

Right next to this was a tunnel network, with a shaft that was likely intended to be used to attempt to abduct soldiers. The tunnel network connected directly to under a school and a medical clinic, as well as to a mosque with a Hamas command and control center inside, all powered by electricity piped in from the medical clinic.

This story, at least, had a happy ending.

Here’s what happened, as told by the commander in the field:

The force was able to identify and eliminate the ambush first.

That is what happens when dedication and a just cause meet the professionalism and drive that motivate our soldiers.

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A Far More Tragic Ending

Yesterday, during an operation in Gaza, soldiers from the 551st Division and the Intelligence's 504 Unit recovered the remains of two abducted Israeli soldiers - CPL Nik Beizer and SGT Ron Sherman - both of whom had been abducted from Erez Crossing on October 7th.

CPL Beizer, 19, was from Be'er Sheva and was taken hostage while serving as a driver in the Gaza Coordination and Liason Administration, and SGT Ron Sherman, 19, from Lehavim, served there as an NCO there as well.

The IDF sends the families its heartfelt condolences and will continue to support them.

In addition, during another operation, the body of the hostage Elia Toledano (28) was recovered by IDF Special Forces and brought back to Israel. 

I - together with the entire IDF and Israel at large - share my heartfelt condolences with the families, as well as the 448 other soldiers that have lost their lives protecting our country since October 7th.

We will continue to do everything in our power to bring our hostages home. We owe it to them. We owe it to the country.

Quote of the Day

“This is a multi-arena campaign and there are many months ahead. And now the ability to destroy Hamas and to release hostages and missing to enable their return, is very important.“

— The Head of the Intelligence Directorate, MG Aharon Haliva, during a situational assessment held in Gaza yesterday (December 14th, 2023)

Operational Updates

• This week the IDF carried out a series of airstrikes against Hamas facilities along the Gaza-Egypt border. Directed by the IDF Intelligence Directorate and the Southern Command, the IAF hit military sites, guard posts, observation points, weapon storage areas, and command centers used by Hamas. These strikes aimed to disrupt Hamas' smuggling operations, which pose a threat to Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers.

• This morning, IAF aircraft struck and destroyed Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure in Lebanon and also struck a terrorist operating in Lebanese territory near the area of Zar'it in northern Israel. IDF soldiers also struck two armed terrorists near Yaroun in Lebanon.

• Last night, the IDF and ISA revealed special footage from an operation that took place in recent days in which IDF soldiers killed terrorists underground in a key Hamas tunnel network. The tunnel was exposed by the Northern Brigade of the Gaza Division in cooperation with the ISA. A video from the operation is available here.

With Chanukah behind us, let me wish us all a quiet evening.

LTC Richard Hecht