IDF Chief of Staff to Residents of the South: "We didn't heed our mission"

IDF Chief of Staff, Lt.-Gen. Herzi Halevi, met with local government leaders from the south, promising them to do everything to restore security to the residents.

Halevi met with the mayors and council heads of the Gaza Perimeter and the south in the city of Ashkelon. There, he promised those presence, that the IDF is obligated to complete the war as much as it will need to, explaining that “the IDF is very deeply committed to the settlements of the south and the Perimeter. We will do everything to restore security and prosperity to the area. For years, the IDF has worked in a great partnership with the local leadership which led this region forward, and we very much believe in you.”

Halevi added, saying to the area’s residents that “thanks to the strength of the residents and their heroism, we will continue to fight to bring security which will allow a return to the settlements. The whole IDF, and myself personally, are focused on only one goal now – winning and dismantling Hamas.”

The Chief of Staff also addressed the failure of October 7, saying: “We did not heed our mission to protect the residents, and we are now also responsible for security down the line. We will remember what happened, fight, and not allow such an event to happen again.”