From the Liveblog of
Sunday, October 8, 2023
Military chief: Now is ‘time for war’; ‘questions and frustration’ will come later
Emanuel (Mannie) Fabian is The Times of Israel's military correspondent
The chief of the Israel Defense Forces issues his first public comments since Hamas launched its attack against Israel yesterday morning.
“The State of Israel and the IDF are now waging war against a sinful attack by Hamas,” IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi says, in a video published by the military.
“This is murderous terrorism. We are attacking, pushing back, and striking everyone who took part in it. I know the last day was difficult, the price is a heavy price, I know there are many questions and a lot of frustration,” Halevi continues.
“But we are now focusing forward on doing and solving the problem. We have civilians, and members of the security forces, some of whom are in the hands of the enemy,” he says. “Therefore, it is time for war. Not a round, not an operation, time for war,” Halevi says.
“And in this war, the IDF will be strong and win. Long and complex days of fighting await us. We will maintain readiness in all arenas,” he adds.
The remarks are made during an assessment at the IDF Southern Command in Beersheba this afternoon.
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