The Chief of Staff, Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi, met with the combat forces in the field and issued a statement to the public in preparation for the continuation and expansion of the fighting.
Major General Herzi Halevi issued a statement from the gathering and combat areas in the south, during which the Chief of Staff explained that after three weeks since the horrific massacre on October 7th, a new phase in the fighting has now opened. He mentioned that the IDF forces are operating extensively on the ground and in the air in the Gaza Strip.
The Chief of Staff added and emphasized that the war's objectives are "dismantling Hamas, restoring security to the borders, and bringing all the captives home." Additionally, he placed all responsibility for harming people or causing any damage on the shoulders of Hamas, stating that their barbaric actions on October 7th are what created this situation.
Furthermore, the Chief of Staff emphasized that "the objectives of the war require a ground entry - the finest fighters are currently operating in Gaza."