IDF chief visits Gaza, tells troops army won’t give up on demilitarizing Strip

During a visit to Gaza today, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir says the military will not give up on the war objective of demilitarizing the Strip and disarming Hamas, while also confirming that the army has such plans ready to go if the government orders it.

“During the war, we achieved an unprecedented accomplishment: all of Hamas’s frontline battalions were destroyed. Hamas was militarily defeated, and all the hostages returned home,” Zamir says in the Rafah area, according to remarks published by the IDF.

“The IDF is deployed along a security border — the Yellow Line — controls the gateways to the Strip, and is systematically clearing the area of terror infrastructure,” he continues.

Zamir says the IDF is “prepared to shift from defense to offense,” and “will respond to any violation.”

“We are not giving up on the war’s objective, the full demilitarization of the Gaza Strip and the disarmament of Hamas,” he says.

“We are acting in accordance with the directives of the political echelon, while also holding decisive military plans and are prepared to act offensively as required,” Zamir says.

This week, The Times of Israel reported that the IDF had drawn up plans for a renewed offensive in Gaza aimed at disarming Hamas.

“There is no immunity for terror. What applies to Gaza also applies to the other arenas. We will continue to remain focused and cut down threats, with determination and in an offensive manner,” he adds.