From the Liveblog of
Thursday, July 3, 2025
IDF spokesman calls return of hostages ‘the ultimate goal’ of Gaza war
Stav Levaton is a military reporter for The Times of Israel
The IDF will persist in its military campaign in Gaza until all hostages are returned and Hamas is dismantled, IDF Spokesperson Maj. Gen. Effie Defrin says in a press conference, reaffirming the war’s central objectives.
“That is the ultimate goal that every fighter and every commander in the Gaza Strip and beyond has in their sight,” Defrin says about returning the hostages.
He adds that Israeli forces are operating with “high intensity” across most of the Gaza Strip, targeting Hamas strongholds in ground maneuvers and with a coordinated combination of air, naval and artillery fire.
Defrin highlights the killing of senior Hamas commander Hakem al-Issa, described as a key planner of the October 7 massacre, as well as two terrorists involved in the deaths of seven IDF soldiers in Khan Younis last week, declaring them operational successes in recent days.
According to Defrin, the IDF is simultaneously working to enable humanitarian aid deliveries via the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which Defrin says delivered over a million food packages to Gazan civilians to date, while countering ongoing attempts by Hamas to sabotage the effort.
The Times of Israel Community.