IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir conducted a situational assessment in the Gaza Strip on Tuesday, after which he called on the Israeli public to "support and unite around our IDF soldiers" in order to achieve the goals of the war.
"My trust in [the soldiers] is absolute," Zamir said. "They prove that it is possible to lead with a sense of mission, with courage, determination, and in accordance with the values of the IDF."
"I understand the price you and your families are paying," Zamir added. "The entire nation appreciates you — you are the backbone of our national resilience."
Hamas started this war, will not be the ones to rebuild, Zamir says
Zamir also made comments addressed to Gazan residents, saying, "We are not the ones who brought this destruction upon you. We are not the ones who started this war. We are not the ones who have deprived you of food, shelter, and money. We do not hide in hospitals or schools. We do not live in luxury hotels while you live in hardship."
"This is your leadership — the ones holding our hostages. Hamas is responsible for starting the war. It is responsible for the difficult situation of the civilian population — it brought destruction, and it will not be the one to rebuild."
The IDF launched its new offensive Operation 'Gideon's Chariots' in Gaza on Friday, launching strikes and deploying forces to seize swathes of land in the enclave to renew its offensive.
Moving forward with the offensive, the IDF "is operating according to a predetermined plan and is now moving into the next stage. Hamas will pay the price for its refusal. We will expand our operation, establish operational control of additional territory, clear and dismantle the terrorist infrastructure — until Hamas is decisively defeated," he said.
The goals of the operation are clear, Zamir added, "the return of the hostages to their homes, the decisive defeat of Hamas, and the dismantling of its regime."