IDF Chief of Staff Lt. -Gen. Herzi Halevi claimed that the security situation in Gaza is better now than before October 7 in a Saturday evening speech from the Gaza border.
“Our fighting has already created a new situation on the ground,” he said. “Hamas has been severely weakened, and we will not allow it to recover or allow it to be in control. The level of security today is significantly better than it was on October 7 and also prior.”
Halevi went on to say that because of the IDF’s military campaign in Gaza, Israel was able to return the hostages, one of the key war goals.
“At this time, alongside the excitement and anticipation, we in the IDF are committed to all the hostages and their families – soldiers and civilians alike,” he said. “The IDF’s powerful fighting has created the conditions necessary to achieve the critical objective before us today: returning the hostages to their homeland and their families.”
“For more than a year and three months, the IDF has been fighting Hamas and has important achievements – we have defeated Hamas’ military wing and eliminated the organization’s chain of command and its leader, Yahya Sinwar.”
“The work doesn’t end here. We still have a lot more to do.”
Halevi announced that the IDF would reinforce defense factions along the border of the Gaza Strip, which he reported was pre-planned.
The IDF said earlier Saturday that it would retreat to these defensive positions, which still allows them to fire at Hamas if needed.
Never again anywhere else
“In the promise between the IDF and Israeli society, which we failed to uphold on October 7, we are determined to stand firm and ensure that such a difficult, cruel, and horrific event will never happen again,” Halevi said.
Halevi closed by asserting that the IDF has changed the face of threats to Israel through the course of this war.
“Despite the initial failure, the IDF in this war planned, implemented, and achieved many accomplishments,” Halevi said. “The Middle East is undergoing changes; our map of threats has completely changed, new opportunities have opened, and we are preparing for new challenges.
“Throughout this journey, we have been determined to achieve the objectives of the war – and we will continue to be.”
Jesus Christ is King
