Chief of Staff from Gaza: "We will not rest until the hostages are home" 

IDF's Chief of Staff Herzi Halevi gave a statement at the Gaza border this evening (Saturday), in light of the hostage deal about to go into effect.

Halevi began by saying: "I have just left a visit with IDF forces in the Gaza Strip, commanders and fighters, who, after long months of fighting, have begun operational preparations for the implementation of the agreement for the return of the hostages. For more than a year and three months, the IDF fought Hamas, and brought about important achievements – we defeated Hamas' military wing, we eliminated the chain of leadership of the organization and its leader, Yahya Sinwar.

He went on to say that "the work is not over here, we have a lot more to do. We will do it with great strength and determination, and the IDF's intense fighting has ripened the conditions for the realization of the important goal we face today: the return of the hostages to their country and their families. The war has a heavy price, we have lost the best of our sons and daughters, who sacrificed their lives for the security of the State of Israel and its citizens. We remember them all the time, the righteousness of the path – and we accompany the members of the bereaved families."

"In Beit Hanoun", he continued "we have killed many terrorists in the past month. We've had quite a few casualties lately, but we know what we're fighting for. This is what I heard just a few minutes ago from commanders and fighters here in Beit Hanoun, IDF forces are working first and foremost to protect the citizens of the State of Israel. We've had quite a few casualties lately, but we know what we're fighting for. This is what I heard just a few minutes ago from commanders and fighters here in Beit Hanoun, IDF forces are working first and foremost to protect the citizens of the State of Israel. At this time, along with the excitement and anticipation, we in the IDF are committed to all the abductees and their families – soldiers and civilians alike. We will not stop, we will not rest, until everyone returns. The actions of the IDF and the Shin Bet have a decisive weight in creating the conditions for the agreement that was reached."

Halevi concluded by saying: "In the coming days, the IDF will prepare for an enhanced defense plan on the Gaza Strip border, which was planned in advance and combines defense components alongside offensive components. In the promise between the IDF and Israeli society, which we did not keep on October 7, we are determined to stand firm and ensure that a difficult, cruel and terrible event will not be repeated. Our fighting has already created a different situation on the ground. Hamas is very badly damaged, we will not allow it to recover, we will not allow it to rule, the level of security today is much better. The one that was on October 7 and before that. Alongside the failure of the beginning, the IDF in this war planned, executed and brought about many achievements. The Middle East is undergoing changes, our map of threats has completely changed, opportunities have opened up, and we are preparing for new threats."