From the Liveblog of
Wednesday, March 20, 2024
IDF chief says Shifa op damaging Hamas leadership, adding pressure in hostage talks
Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi visited troops at Gaza City’s Shifa Hospital earlier today, telling them that the operation is causing damage to Hamas’s leadership and is putting pressure on the terror group with regard to a potential hostage deal.
“So far the results are good, but look we’re aiming for the senior officials,” Halevi says.
“Marwan Issa, the arrest of senior officials, this is very, very important to put pressure on Hamas, it is very important to put pressure on the negotiations as well,” he says.
He says the IDF is “[causing] severe damage to Hamas, dismantling Hamas, killing the military leadership, damage to the civilian leadership, damage to the operatives.”
“We came here to arrest many operatives, with an emphasis on senior officials, and kill those who fight. We prefer detainees, they are important cards, [for] investigations,” Halevi says.
The Times of Israel Community.