Halevi: If a truce to release hostages is reached, IDF ‘will know how’ to resume fighting afterward

Asked about how the IDF will respond if a truce-for-hostages deal is reached, IDF Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi says that if the political echelon decides on a deal, and if this agreement requires halting the fighting, the IDF will “know how to return” to the military campaign to dismantle Hamas when that pause is over.

Halevi also promises to restore security, and residents’ faith in their security, in the communities close to Gaza that were targeted on October 7.

He says the security situation is “far better” today than it was on October 7, and even than it was prior to October 7, and that the major difference is that the enemy is significantly less powerful because the IDF is destroying its capabilities.

“We are building a far safer reality,” says Halevi. Residents of the Gaza envelope area will be able to return with security, he promises.