From the Liveblog of
Monday, August 26, 2024
IDF chief: We’re working to return displaced northern residents ‘as quickly as possible’
Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi says the military is working to return displaced residents of northern Israel to their homes “as quickly as possible,” given daily attacks by Hezbollah.
“I just finished a visit with the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the United States military at the Northern Command. We are strengthening operational cooperation in the face of challenges and threats in the Middle East,” Halevi says in a video statement from northern Israel.
“Israel is strong and defends itself on its own, but it is always good to have a strong ally by our side, who shares common values and interests with us,” he says.
“About a month ago, we eliminated the most senior military commander in Hezbollah, Fuad Shukr Mohsen, after Hezbollah killed 12 children in Majdal Shams,” Halevi says.
“Yesterday, in a preemptive action, we prevented Hezbollah from another attempt to harm the citizens of the State of Israel, in the north and center [of the country]. The vast majority of the targets we destroyed yesterday were aimed at the north of the country,” he continues.
Halevi says the IDF is “very determined to continue to harm Hezbollah, to eliminate more and more commanders, and to deprive it of assets and capabilities. We are not stopping.”
“Hezbollah has more capabilities and the work is not yet complete. Our mission is clear, to return the residents of the north to their homes in safety, and the IDF is working toward that end around the clock,” he says.
“We are determined to return the residents of the north to their homes safely as quickly as possible,” Halevi adds.
