Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Galat claimed that the Israeli occupation army had "subdued" the Rafah Brigade of the Qassam Brigades, the military power of Hamas, and claimed that the occupation had destroyed "more than 150 tunnels in the area," while stressing the need to "focus on the goals of the war and adhere to them," in reference to the declared goal of returning the Israeli prisoners held by the resistance factions in the Gaza Strip.

This came during a field visit conducted by Galant today, Wednesday, inside the Gaza Strip, specifically in the border area with Egypt (the Philadelphi Corridor), which is considered one of the most prominent controversial issues in the negotiations aimed at reaching a prisoner exchange deal between Israel and Hamas, under an agreement on a ceasefire in the Strip, in light of the insistence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on maintaining a military presence for the occupation in the region.

The Israeli Ministry of Defense said in a statement that Galant "entered the Gaza Strip this morning accompanied by forces from the 162nd Division operating in the Rafah area and the Philadelphi corridor," and said that Galant "held a situation assessment with the division commander, Itzik Cohen, the commander of the Hanahal Brigade, Yair Zuckerman, the commander of the Artillery Brigade, Ehud Bibi, the commander of the Yahalom unit, and officers in the military division."

According to the statement, "Minister Galant received a report on the military operations that led to the subjugation of the Rafah Brigade and the destruction of more than 150 tunnels in the area, and stressed the need to intensify efforts in the coming period to complete the destruction of all tunnels discovered" in the area. The statement quoted Galant as saying: "The Rafah Brigade was subjugated by the forces of the 162nd Division."

“I have looked into the issue of tunnels, and we are now in a position where we have managed to destroy 150 tunnels. Of these 150, about 100 are covered channels that were dug by engineering tools above the ground, and they were covered with one or two meters of dirt, and they are easy to find later because they are in the surveillance images, and they are also easy to destroy once you get to them,” he added.

"There are still a few left, and we will destroy them. I have issued an immediate directive here," he continued, adding: "The most important thing in my opinion as an idea is to remember the goals of the war and adhere to all of them - whether towards Hamas or regarding the hostages."

He stressed the need for the Israeli army to turn its attention to the north: "We understand why. This is the situation and this is the case," referring to the shift in the weight of military operations and their focus on the confrontation front with Hezbollah in southern Lebanon.