The IDF will not give up on its mission to fully disarm Hamas, IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir said Sunday.
“The multifaceted reality continues to be the primary framework,” he said during a visit with soldiers in the Gaza Strip. “The IDF is strengthening operational control on the ground and continues to erode Hamas’s power. We will continue to act until we achieve the goal of disarming Hamas. This is a goal we are not giving up on.”
The IDF was prepared for a return to combat and ready to do “whatever is necessary to complete the mission and ensure the security of the residents of the State of Israel,” Zamir said.
“We are focused on thwarting threats as they arise and disrupting terrorist organizations here in the Gaza Strip and in all areas of combat,” he said. “The Yellow Line allows us security control and the ability to go on the offensive when necessary. We operate offensively against any attempt by Hamas to gain strength and against any violation of the agreement by it.”
Zamir said he had approved new plans to launch more strikes against Hezbollah and dismantle terrorist organizations in the West Bank.
IDF will clamp down on terror threats, Zamir says
Regarding the terrorist attack earlier in the day, in which one person was killed and at least five others were wounded, Zamir said: “I send my condolences to the family of the deceased and wish a full recovery to the wounded.
“We will [apprehend] anyone who threatens the security of our residents,” he said. “We will continue to work to eradicate terrorism in all sectors and to strengthen the defense of our communities and citizens.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday said Israel holds 60% of the Gaza Strip, and that “will soon reach 70%.”
“In the Gaza Strip, we are squeezing Hamas from all sides,” he said during the cabinet meeting. “We are not allowing them to rearm or harm us, and we are also eliminating their senior commanders.”