The war in the south. IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi appeared in front of cameras for the first time and spoke about Hamas's terror attack from Gaza, as well as the next steps for the IDF on its way to dismantle Hamas' rule in the Gaza Strip.
"We are five days after the cruel, murderous and shocking event. The massacre of our people by Hamas, targeting our women, children, and civilians, is horrifying and inhumane.
"The IDF is fighting ruthless terrorists who have committed acts that are beyond comprehension, in any place where there are people, in any place where humanity exists. This heinous attack was ordered by Yahya Sinwar, the ruler of the Gaza Strip. Therefore, he and the entire system under his command are marked for death. We will strike them, we will dismantle them, we will break their system."
On Saturday morning we did not fulfill our mission
"The IDF, under my command, understands the gravity of the situation and the enormity of the mission placed upon our shoulders. The IDF is responsible for the security of the state and its citizens, and last Saturday morning, near the Gaza Strip, we did not fulfill our mission. We will learn, we will investigate, but now is the time for war.
"I am very proud to lead commanders and soldiers who are ready to fight with determination and dedication, including thousands of reserve soldiers who left everything behind in a moment and arrived to fight and defend our homeland.
"I was in the field, I saw the horrors, I saw the images. I talked to the terrorists and soldiers who fought in the field. Alongside the enemy's atrocities, the acts of bravery of our civilians, soldiers, and our security and rescue forces are revealed. They took what they had and went forward to stop the attack. In their eyes, there was only one thing - to save lives."
We will strike a victorious blow at our enemies
"The cost of war is heavy and difficult. We will do everything to bring the captives home. The fighting spirit of the IDF strikes Gaza with full force. And we will not stop here.
"Gaza will not be the same thing. We will reach a situation where those who led Gaza will suffer greatly; we will dismantle them. And those who remain there will understand well that such things should not be done to the State of Israel. It will take time, and we need to show patience. The cohesion and the companionship are with us. We will strike and defeat our enemies. This is our mission today, and we are very determined to accomplish it."