TEL AVIV: The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) on Wednesday said that Iran directly aided the Palestinian terror group Hamas before the October 7 attack on the Israeli border areas in which several people were killed and hundreds of others were kidnapped. IDF Spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said, “Iran directly aided Hamas before the war, with training, supplying weapons, money, and technological know-how.” 


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“Even now, Iranian aid to Hamas in the form of intelligence and online incitement against the State of Israel continues,” the top ranking IDF official said that while addresing a press conference. It may be noted that Iran has acknowledged providing finance, training and supplying weapons to Hamas but has flatly denied a role in the attack on Israel. 


Interestingly, the IDF on Tuesday said that its ground personnel massing on the southern border were ready to 'invade' Gaza, according to The Jerusalem Post. Briefing reporters at the country's southern border, IDF Chief-of-Staff, Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi said, "I want to be clear, we are ready to invade." He added that the IDF was in the process of deciding on the 'exact timing' of the ground invasion of Gaza in coordination with the country's political echelons.


Won't Stop Until We Crush Hamas: Netanyahu


 


Clearing the air on Israel's much-anticipated Gaza ground attack, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shared on X that Israel has only one task at hand, which is to crush Hamas and it won't stop till the objective is accomplished. "With the fighters in the field, we have only one task -- to crush Hamas, and we will not stop until we complete the task," the Israeli PM stated.



Israeli Navy Prevents Hamas Sea Infiltration


 


In another critical development, the Israeli Navy successfully thwarted an infiltration attempt by a group of Hamas terrorists from the Gaza Strip into Israel via the sea on Tuesday evening, as reported by The Israel Times. The exact number of Hamas divers involved was not specified by the IDF. Nonetheless, estimates suggest it could have been between five to eight individuals.


This infiltration attempt raised alarms in the border communities of Zikim and Karmia, which have undergone evacuation following Hamas's October 7 assault on southern Israel. Essential personnel and local security teams are the only residents remaining in the area, which has been designated a closed military zone.


The IDF promptly responded by deploying a fighter jet, which carried out an airstrike on a compound believed to be the launching point for the terrorists.


IDF Spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari confirmed that the Navy forces, including naval commandos, were actively searching for any additional members of the terrorist cell in the sea. Their detection of the Hamas cell entering the sea from a tunnel originating from Gaza City's coast led to their elimination.


Hamas has claimed responsibility for the sea-borne attack attempt, stating that its members clashed with Israeli forces after allegedly infiltrating Israel. Subsequently, another infiltration warning sounded in Zikim, Karmia, and Netiv Ha'asara, but the IDF Home Front Command declared the incident over shortly afterwards, giving an all-clear signal.


This incident reflects the Israeli Navy's success in preventing multiple infiltration attempts via the sea, both during and following Hamas's October 7 invasion of southern Israel. It underscores the ongoing security challenges in the region.