IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevy spoke on Monday about the situation in Israel since the outbreak of the war, as well as the beginning of ground maneuvers in the southern Gaza Strip. Halevy said in a statement that "whoever thought that the IDF would not know how to renew the fighting at the end of the ceasefire was mistaken, Hamas feels this very well."
"60 days after the outbreak of hostilities, our forces are surrounding the Khan Yunis area in the southern Gaza Strip," the chief of staff said. "At the same time, we continue to deepen the achievement in the northern Gaza Strip as well. Whoever thought that the IDF would not know how to renew the fighting after the ceasefire ended was mistaken, Hamas feels this very well."
Khan Yunis, Gaza, photo: GettyImages
Referring to the ground activity in Gaza, the chief of staff said: "In recent days, many operatives, including senior Hamas commanders, have been eliminated. We moved on to the third stage of the maneuver. We took over many Hamas strongholds in the northern Gaza Strip, and now we are working against its centers of gravity in the south."
The destruction in Gaza – Hamas is the address
"We operate professionally; evacuating the population in advance from the battle zones; attacking Hamas above and below the ground, with combined air, sea and land attacks; We are bringing our ground forces into the fighting in an envelope of intelligence and fire of very high quality and very powerful, with a high level of accuracy."
"Our forces meet many terrorists, harm them, effectively, with a level of professionalism that is certainly impressive," he noted. "We have representatives of the Shin Bet with our forces, with the capabilities of this organization. We have representatives from all parts of the IDF with our forces, and this partnership really builds strength on the battlefield."
162nd Division fighters in action in the Jabaliya area // Credit: IDF Spokesperson
The chief of staff pointed an accusing finger at the Hamas leadership, saying: "We are asked a lot about the destruction in Gaza – Hamas is the address. Sinwar is the address. Our forces find weapons in almost every house. In many homes, terrorists are found and fought."
Minimizing harm to uninvolved civilians
Halevy explained Hamas' modus operandi: "Part of the method is weapons placed in homes, a terrorist comes to the house in civilian clothes and conducts the fighting from there. These things require the use of extensive fire, both in order to harm the enemy, and in order to, of course, protect our forces. Therefore, they are acting forcefully, and at the same time with great efforts to minimize harm to uninvolved civilians as much as possible."
The military pressure exerted in recent weeks, the chief of staff says, has severely harmed Hamas and advances the achievement of all the goals of the war, including what Halevy defined as the "supreme goal" of returning all the hostages home.
Artillery Corps activity in the Gaza Strip // Photo: IDF Spokesperson
"Yesterday, I met commanders in the fighting in the northern Gaza Strip. I hear them, talk to them, they say very clearly - we are ready and willing to do everything to bring back hostages, to do everything to harm Hamas and dismantle this organization."
On the northern border, Halevy said, "Hezbollah chose to open fire at the end of the truce. We identified this in advance, we prepared for it, and we are acting with determination against anyone who prepares, prepares or carries out attacks on Israeli citizens, IDF soldiers or creates a threat to our territory. We are charging Hezbollah a great price that the organization is trying to hide."
"Although we are focused on the Gaza Strip, at the same time we continue the operational activity aimed at bringing a better reality on the northern border."
IDF forces on the northern border, photo: Reuters
Halevi spoke about increasing the fight against terrorism in Judea and Samaria as well: "In the past two months, more than 1,200 Hamas operatives have been arrested, many terrorists who carried out attacks and those who planned to carry out attacks, and we are very determined to continue this effort."
"We will not stop until we complete the mission"
Halevi also spoke about the shooting incident in the attack in Jerusalem, in which Yuval Doron Castleman was killed. "It is important for me to say that we celebrate the heroism of a civilian who ran with great courage into the fire, to stop killing civilians. It's really heroic."
"In the same breath, we emphasize the necessity of adhering to the basic rules necessary in such complex cases. Don't rush to shoot when the risk decreases and we don't shoot those who raise their hands." In addition, the chief of staff noted that the case in question is still under investigation.
Halevi went on to praise the heroism of the fighters, led by the commanders, many of whom fell on the battlefield. "This is what is customary in the IDF on the battlefield – the commanders are at the top," the chief of staff said.
A house in Gaza village damaged in the events of October 7, photo: Reuters
Halevy also said that the IDF is busy achieving the goals of the war, including creating a security response that will enable the residents to return to their homes – both in the south and in the north.
"We know that we will need more forces on the border, we know that we will need more capabilities and an increased and felt presence alongside the residents, in order to return safely – and we will do so. We'll be there with you. We, all IDF soldiers, will do everything to repair what was damaged. For the murdered, this correction is too late. For life, for the continuity of life in the State of Israel, this correction is necessary. We will not stop until we complete the mission."
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